A District Court Judge has declined to preside over a case involving a Letterkenny resident who stands accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.
Manus McCole, a 31-year-old resident of Scribbly, Letterkenny, has been charged with two counts of assault against the woman in question, both of which are alleged to have occurred in 2018.
The judge’s decision means that the case will be transferred to a higher court, where it will be heard at a later date.
At Letterkenny District Court this week, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that, in light of a medical report submitted to the court, she was refusing jurisdiction, deeming it too serious a matter to be heard at District Court level.
McCole is charged with an assault on August 12, 2018 at Main Street, Ballyshannon. Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the woman was 18 weeks pregnant at the time when she ‘received a blow to the abdomen’.
Sergeant Collins said the woman had ‘no difficulty’ with her pregnancy arising out of the incident.
McCole also faces a further charge of assault, arising out of an alleged incident on November 4, 2018 at Old Forge, Ballylin, Ramelton. On this occasion, Sergeant Collins said the victim suffered ‘repeated punches’.
Bail was granted on McCole’s own bond of €200, nil cash. McCole is to have no contact either directly or indirectly, to include by social media, and to be contactable by Gardai 24/7.
The case was adjourned to September 18 to allow for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.