A man accused of attacking his next-door neighbour with a hammer and a Stanley knife during an alleged dispute has been granted bail on strict conditions, including moving out of his home and staying away from the area.
Fergus Donegan (57), of Tivoli Road, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, is charged with assault causing harm to his next-door neighbour at Tivoli Road on April 28 last.
Garda Aisling Power objected to bail at Dún Laoghaire District Court on grounds that the accused could interfere with a witness.
Garda Power told the court that the injured party had called to the accused man’s home to check on him after he had suffered a fall.
She said it is alleged Mr Donegan then assaulted the man, injuring his hand with a hammer and causing a laceration above his eyebrow with a Stanley knife.
Garda Power told Judge Anne Watkin that both men live in the same apartment block and there is an ongoing dispute between them.
She said the alleged injured party claimed Mr Donegan approached him with the Stanley knife while he was outside the apartments.
The witness said it is a very serious charge, that a weapon was allegedly used and that there was significant evidence in the case, including CCTV footage which gardaí were currently investigating.
Defence counsel, Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, said Mr Donegan disputes the allegations.
Counsel said Mr Donegan, who appeared in court, was currently sporting a black eye and that his phone was broken during the incident.
Ms Crowley told the court that her client had been on the local authority housing list for ten years and arrangements had been made for him to move into alternative accommodation in Cherrywood on the morning following the alleged assault.
Judge Watkin granted bail on the accused’s own bond of €500, noting he was due to leave the shared apartment building.
She ordered that Mr Donegan reside at an address to be furnished to gardaí at Bray Garda Station within 24 hours.
As part of his bail conditions, he must sign on daily at Bray Garda Station between 9am and 9pm, stay out of Dún Laoghaire except for court appearances and stay away from Tivoli Road.
He was also ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with the alleged injured party, including on social media.
Judge Watkin told him that if he encountered the alleged injured party in any place, he must leave immediately.
The case was adjourned for directions to September 15.
Legal aid was granted to solicitor Michael Hennessy.