This article is from page 12 of the 2013-03-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the harassment of a woman on four occasions at a housing estate in Ennis earlier this year.
William Keane (39), with an address at 71 Hawthorns, Limerick Road, Ennis, is charged with the harassment of a named woman at Abbey Court, Limerick Road, Ennis.
It is alleged that Mr Keane did harass the woman on January 25 (2013), January 27 (2013), January 29 (2013) and February 3 (2013). Handing in evidence of arrest, charge and caution by schedule, Inspector John Galvin said the accused made no reply to charge after caution.
Legal aid was approved for solicitor Daragh Hassett. Mr Hassett said he required time to seek disclosure from the State.
Insp Galvin said directions are being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in respect of the case.
Solicitor for the alleged injured par- ty, Stephen Nicholas, told the court that he retained a watching brief in the case.
Bail was approved for Mr Keane, on the condition he have no contact with the alleged injured party.
Mr Nicholas requested that that the Court order Mr Keane not to have contact of any kind with the woman.
Refusing the application, Judge Patrick Durcan said his original order already stated that the accused was not to have contact of any kind with the alleged injured party.
Judge Durcan added, “That means text, email, ringing, a letter, a knock on the door, anything.”
At one point during proceedings, Mr Hassett told the Court that the alleged injured party was attempting to speak directly to Judge Durcan.
Mr Hassett said he objected to anyone other than Mr Nicholas addressing the Judge.
Mr Keane was remanded on continuing bail to appear again in Court on May 15. DPP’s directions are expected to be known by that date, the court heard.