A man from Co Kerry, believed to be the first person to be charged under the 1997 Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, is likely to face more serious charges, the High Court has been told.
Mr Robert Anthony, of Derrylough, Tousist, Kenmare, Co Kerry, is charged with assault causing harm, under Section 3 of the Act.
Mr Brendan Mulhall, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court yesterday the charge arose out of the death of Mr Phillip O'Sullivan at Tousist, and other more serious charges may be preferred against Mr Anthony tomorrow.
Mr Niall Durnin, for Mr Anthony, said his client was seeking bail, but he did not wish to waste time in pursuing his application in relation to the lesser charge when there was a possibility of more serious charges.
Mr Mulhall said the DPP was seeking two independent sureties of £20,000 each in the event of Mr Anthony's application for bail succeeding. The court adjourned the application until next Tuesday's bails list, and afterwards Mr Anthony's solicitor, Mr Colm Murphy, said the Act had become law only on August 19th and he believed his client was the first to be charged under it.