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A man allegedly hit his neighbor in the head “nine times” with a hammer in a frantic attack, the Limerick District Court was told in a special session on Sunday night.
James Bugler, 39, with an address at Hassett’s Villas, Thomondgate was charged in connection with the incident.
He is accused of assault, criminal damage, and producing a weapon during the course of a dispute.
During a contested bail hearing, Garda Dave Barry, Mayor of Stonestone, told Judge Marian O’Leary that an altercation occurred involving both Bugler and his neighbor around 6.30 p.m. Friday. The injured part, a man in his 40s, was taken to Limerick University Hospital with serious head injuries before being transferred to Cork University Hospital.
He remained there Saturday night in the neurological ward, and the long-term effects of his injuries are unknown.
Opposing bail, he said the incident was captured on CCTV and expressed concern that there could be more incidents given the closeness between the men.
The injured party has provided a statement to gardai. He has also turned over the clothing he was wearing at the time of the incident to the Gardai investigation.
The defendant, Garda Barry alleged, “showed no concern for the well-being of the injured party.”
Defense attorney Michelle Cosgrave said no hammer was recovered from the scene, and questioned the quality of CCTV.
Garda Barry said the footage was taken from 30 yards and that it was of “average” quality. “It covers the incident as it unfolds,” he said.
However, Ms. Cosgrave disputed this.
Gardai opposed bail due to the severity of the injuries sustained, the nature of the crime, and the defendant’s proximity to the injured party’s residence.
Ms. Cosgrave noted that Mr. Bugler had an alternate address where he could reside in Clare County, and asked if this would mitigate Gardai’s concerns.
Inspector Niall Flood said it was a “very serious incident” with “serious injuries” sustained, and said that the defendant will be alleged to have left the area without showing “due care for the injured party’s medical care.”
This was disputed by the defense attorney.
Judge O’Leary released the defendant on bail subject to a number of conditions, including the presentation of a cash guarantee.
Mr. Bugler was ordered to reside at an address in Shannon and to check in daily at the city’s Garda station between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Must stay indoors between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. and have no contact with the injured party or with any witness to the incident.
He was ordered to hand over his passport and make himself available to Gardai 24 hours a day.
Bugler was also told to stay out of the city of Limerick, aside from appearing in court or appointments with legal advisers.
He will appear again in the Limerick District Court on Tuesday morning.
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