Four men face trial over serious assault of man in Meenaneary

Four men will stand trial over the serious assault of a man in his home in Meenaneary two years ago.

The four men all appeared at Glenties District Court on Wednesday where orders were made returning them for trial to Donegal Circuit Court.

The four are: Marcus Love, a 20-year-old of Meenadreen, Donegal Town; Jordan Ryle, aged 25 and of Railway Park, Donegal Town; 23-year-old Kieran Hughes, with an address at Corlis, Castlerea, Co Roscommon; and Kyle Farrelly, a 27-year-old from Moylaragh Walk, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

They are each charged with assault causing harm to Christopher Lowther at Meenaneary Close, Carrick, Co Donegal on July 14, 2022.

The charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

The quartet appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Glenties District Court on Wednesday morning.

The court heard evidence of a book of evidence being served on each of the four men.

Inspector Rosaleen Logue told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for the four accused to be sent forward to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court, which commences on December 10, 2024.

Judge Liddy made order returning the four men for trial. Each man was given the alibi warning.

Legal aid was granted to solicitor Mr Frank Murphy in the matter of Love, to Mr Rory O'Brien in the matters of Ryle and Hughes and to Mr Frank Dorrian in the matter of Farrelly.

One legal counsel was granted in each case and a section 56 order, relating to videos of interviews, was made by Judge Liddy.

Bail was granted on the same terms and conditions.