Woman remains unconscious following Ennis assault as man charged with causing significant harm - Clare Echo

*Patrick Ballard

A woman remains in an unconscious state in hospital and has sustained serious head injuries after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend in the Market area of Ennis on Thursday evening.

By Gordon Deegan

At a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday evening, Patrick Ballard (34) of Ashford Court hotel, Ennis was charged with the assault causing harm of his girlfriend, Sharon Bennett in Ennis’s Market area on Thursday evening.

Giving evidence of the arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Noelle Bergin told the court that after caution at 6.22pm on Friday evening, Mr Ballard replied “I’m sorry for what happened.”

Mr Ballard was first arrested concerning the alleged assault at 6.30pm on Thursday evening and was later questioned by Gardai after being medically assessed.

Det Bergin stated: “The alleged injured party has been in an unconscious state since the alleged assault as a result of sustaining serious head injuries.”

Det Bergin stated that pending more medical evidence it is likely that a more serious charge will be considered by the State. She stated that Gardai has received a number of independent eye witnesses statements concerning the alleged assault as part of their investigation.

The detective stated that CCTV footage from a number of premises in the vicinity of the alleged assault has also been harvested.

Opposing bail, Det Bergin stated that Gardai have a fear that Mr Ballard would seek to interfere with the injured party as he has all knowledge of her personal information. Det Bergin stated that Gardai were also opposing bail concerning the seriousness of the charge before the court.

Det Bergin stated that Mr Ballard is a drug user and an alcoholic.

Solicitor for Mr Ballard, Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Ballard has been living under the care of the Simon Community at the Ashford Court hotel in Ennis.

Ms Godfrey stated that due to the Covid 19 pandemic, upcoming trials for Ennis Circuit Court have been cancelled and the reality is is that if that Mr Ballard doesn’t obtain bail, he will be on remand in custody for a significant period of time awaiting trial.

Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Ballard suffers from significant psychiatric difficulties and has spent the last number of years more often than not homeless. Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Ballard was willing to abide by strict bail conditions and that there is no evidence that he would interfere with any witness in the case.

Patrick Ballard.

Insp Helen Costello told the court that the evidence in the case would clearly indicate that the alleged assault “is at the upper end of a Section 3 assault causing harm charge”.

Insp Costello stated that “there is very strong evidence to support the charge before the court”.

Judge Mary Cashin refused bail and remanded Mr Ballard in custody to appear at Ennis District Court via video link next Wednesday on February 3rd.

Judge Cashin granted legal aid to Ms Godfrey to represent Mr Ballard and also asked that Mr Ballard receive immediate psychiatric assistance while in custody.

Related News

road gritting 1
Clare County Council treats more than 12,000 Kilometres of National Secondary and Regional Roads in 10 days.
drugs customs shannon 1
Mother and daughter charged with €1.28m Shannon airport drugs haul further remanded in custody
ennis hospital sign 1
Resumption of Health Services Following Weather Disruptions
21112024_Ennis_Court_Trevor_Quinn_0115-768x11511
Ennis teen charged with machete attack secures bail in the High Court and additional charge expected
Latest News
ballybeg speeding 1-2
Speed van for Ballybeg under consideration following complaints of 'excessive speeding'
road gritting 1
Clare County Council treats more than 12,000 Kilometres of National Secondary and Regional Roads in 10 days.
drugs customs shannon 1
Mother and daughter charged with €1.28m Shannon airport drugs haul further remanded in custody
4
Avoid the cold and get planning for your garden this January
ennis hospital sign 1
Resumption of Health Services Following Weather Disruptions
Premium
clare v louth 29-01-23 16 declan byrne ronan lanigan keelan sexton
14 fresh & familiar faces to Clare football panel for 2025
pat dowling old rectory
Dowling says Shannon Heritage risk will pay off for Clare & 'legal loopholes' to blame for slowing down projects
éire óg v ennistymon 30-10-22 27 paul madden
Paul Madden steps down after 8 years as Eire Og manager
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 17
Temporary traffic management plan sought for Ennis as public realm works recommence
clare v cork u20 17-05-24 james hegarty william buckley 1
Flannan's captain Hegarty a doubtful starter for Harty Cup quarter-final

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.