Man charged with assaulting heavily pregnant woman in Donegal faces trial

A man charged with assaulting his now ex-partner, who was heavily pregnant at the time, is due to stand trial.

A book of evidence was served on Jake O’Dwyer at Letterkenny District Court.

O’Dwyer, a 30-year-old with an address at Aughaclay, Malin, did not speak during the brief hearing before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.

Garda Gillian Page gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on O’Dwyer at Letterkenny courthouse.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Judge Cunningham made an order returning O’Dwyer for trial and administered the alibi warning.

Judge Cunningham also made a section 56 order, relating to recordings of interviews, and granted a request from Mr Michael Shiel, solicitor, that one junior counsel be assigned in the case.

O'Dwyer is charged that, at Aughaclay, Culdaff, on June 3, 2024, he assaulted the woman, causing her harm. The charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

A previous court hearing was told that the accused was arrested at 12 noon on June 3 and charged at 8.51pm. He made no reply after caution.

Conditions imposed upon the granting of bail in June included that O’Dwyer: not commit any offence and be of good behaviour; reside at an address provided in Co Kilkenny and to sign on at a garda station three days each week.

O’Dwyer was also told to stay out of County Donegal, save for court appearances.