Athlone resident accused of assaulting late Offaly man to seek bail

A man who has been in custody for the last two months, after being charged with an assault in Athlone of Edenderry's Paul 'Babs' Connolly, is to seek bail in the High Court.

Mr Connolly was knocked unconscious and died while on a stag night in Athlone in August.

Sean Munnelly (36), with an address in Irishtown, Athlone, appeared before the town's district court by video link earlier today.

He is charged with assaulting Mr Connolly, causing him harm, and with committing violent disorder at Church Street, Athlone, on August 13 last.

Mr Munnelly's solicitor, Owen Carty, told the court his client had been in custody since August 14, and that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still being awaited.

Sergeant Kevin O'Brien confirmed that this was the case, but he said the file was now with the DPP's office.

He said that the State was seeking a further two-week adjournment in the case to await delivery of the DPP's directions.

Judge Alan Mitchell said he was noting the delay in the receipt of DPP directions by marking the case as 'time passing' - a measure designed to help speed up the proceedings.

Mr Carty said his client would consent to the two-week adjournment, to the Athlone District Court sitting on October 26, but he said his client also had a bail application pending in the High Court.

Mr Munnelly was one of two people charged with assaulting Mr Connolly.