Victim left with bloody nose in 'unprovoked' attack at fast food restaurant in the Midlands

A man was left with a bloody nose after being the victim of an alleged “unprovoked” attack at a Longford fast food restaurant earlier this year, a court has heard.

Mark O'Shea (51), 76 Farneyhoogan, Longford, was in attendance at Longford District Court to face a charge of allegedly assaulting another man at Macari's Fast Food Restaurant, Ballymahon Street, Longford on January 5, 2023.

He was also charged with using threatening or abusive behaviour on the same date.

The court heard the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had given the go-ahead for “summary disposal”, meaning the matter could be tried in the District Court.

Opening the case for the defence, solicitor Frank Gearty said it was his understanding there was CCTV footage of the alleged incident and would, therefore, be seeking its release together with the State's evidence over the aforementioned charge.

Mr Gearty said his submission was one that ordinarily would not preclude a court from hearing details of the allegation his client was charged with.

“I know that doesn't necessarily put the brakes on your deliberations,” he told Judge Bernadette Owens.

Mr Gearty did, however, intimate his client was “very regretful” over what transpired.

When asked by Judge Owens to provide a brief run down of the alleged incident, Sgt Enda Daly said it would be the State's case the injured party sustained a bloody nose after a “number of punches” were thrown in an alleged “unprovoked” attack.

Mr Gearty responded moments later by contending use of the term “unprovoked” was a “controversial statement” and one which would be dealt with in terms of Mr O'Shea's defence in the fullness of time.

The case was ultimately adjourned to October 10 with Mr O'Shea being remanded on continuing bail.