Two men appeared in court today charged with the assault of a 25-year-old Waterford man who remains critical in hospital.
The charges relate to an assault on Damien Organ, William St in the city, who has remained on a life support machine in intensive care at Waterford Regional Hospital since he was attacked on Sunday evening.
Both he and his brother Liam (27) were assaulted in a secluded area of the People’s Park on Sunday at about 11.40pm.
Four people in their 20s were arrested by gardai in Waterford on Monday.
Two men, aged 19 and 20, were detained at Waterford garda station, while two women, aged 20 and 27, were released at Tramore yesterday evening.
Files are to be sent to the Director of public prosecutions in respect of both women.
However, Waterford men Martin O’Brien (20) who lives in an apartment on the Quay in Waterford city, and Kieran Deegan (19) of the same address, appeared at the District Court yesterday charged with the assault of Damien Organ, causing him harm, on March 21st.
Det garda Patrick Kelly gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr O’Brien at Waterford Garda Station yesterday.
The accused gave no reply when charged, the court heard.
Det garda Emmet Dunphy also said that Mr Deegan offered no reply to his charge yesterday evening.
Both men were remanded on bail yesterday with a number of conditions attached. The men must sign on at Waterford Garda Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 9pm.
Both men were ordered not to interfere with any potential witnesses in the case.Â
The pair, who are unemployed and who were granted free legal aid, must also observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am daily.
Det garda Dunphy requested that Mr Deegan submit his passport to Waterford Garda Station, while the court heard that Mr O’Brien was not in possession of one.
Judge David Kennedy granted the men bail on their own bonds of €1,000 each and independent sureties of €1,000, with half of the sums to be lodged.
Mr Deegan took up his bail yesterday and will appear at the court again on April 13th.
Mr O’Brien will appear at the court again on April 26th, while it is understood that he is due to appear at the court again on Friday to take up his bail.
Meanwhile, gardai continued to examine CCTV footage of the park yesterday, as the riverbank separating the courthouse from the park was searched for hurleys alleged to have been used in the assaults.
