Senior barrister Diarmuid Phelan accused of assault during altercation in Wexford

Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, also known as Diarmuid Rossa Phelan (53), with an address at Reedstown, Tacumshane, appeared before Judge John Cheatle on a charge of assaulting Kevin McHale at Reedstown, Tacumshane, on August 26, 2021, causing him harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, in a case brought by Garda John Coughlan.

Sergeant Victor Isdell, for the prosecution, told the court that the DPP’s directions of April 19, were for summary disposal in the District Court.

Judge Cheatle accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the case for six weeks, remanding the accused on bail to July 11, 2022. By consent, the defendant was excused from attending on that date.

A condition of bail is that the accused must have no contact, direct or indirect with the injured party.

Tim Cummings, solicitor, representing the defendant, was granted a Gary Doyle Order for the disclosure of prosecution documents in the case.

Sergeant Isdell said it is alleged that the injured party was walking on a laneway between two adjoining properties when he met the accused.

There were “verbals” between the two and an altercation took place during which the injured party received a number of injuries.