Man, 39, charged over alleged assault during election campaign

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged assault in Dublin during presidential election campaigning.

Daniel Soave, 39, with an address in Portland Row in Dublin, appeared before Dublin District Court on Monday charged with assault causing harm and two counts of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour.

The alleged assault occurred in North Strand Road on Friday as Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald joined a canvass in support of presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, who was later elected.

Garda Colm Maguire, from Store Street Garda Station, told the court he had arrested Mr Soave shortly before 6pm on Saturday and he was charged shortly afterwards.

The court heard he made no reply to two of the charges but Garda Maguire said Mr Soave had responded to the third by saying: “What’s that all about? Complete lies. I never pushed anybody.”

Gardai did not object to bail but applied for a number of conditions.

These included that he sign on at a garda station twice a week, live at his home address and notify them of any change, does not engage with any campaigners that he may encounter, and not to have any direct or indirect contact with witnesses or injured parties in the case.

He was instructed not to post anything online through social media or WhatsApp about the case.

Mr Soave was told to provide gardai with a phone number within 72 hours.

He said he would have to buy a new phone to get a number and the gardai acknowledged his phone had been seized.

Wearing a green and grey jacket and black tracksuit trousers, Mr Soave spoke openly with his solicitor Sean Lacey to discuss the conditions on his bail.

Asked by Judge Derek Cooney if he would comply with the conditions, Mr Soave said: “Yes, your honour.”

The judge also granted legal aid after hearing that while the accused is working, he is paying a large amount in rent.

The case will be back before the courts on December 15.