Paramedic pleads not guilty to assaulting two women at Clare school

A Health Service Executive (HSE) paramedic on Tuesday pleaded "not guilty" to assault causing harm to two women at an east Clare school five years ago.

Andrew Long (35) of Carraig Dubh, Tobertaosceain, Ennis was arraigned on Tuesday for the alleged offences after a jury of seven women and five men was sworn in.

Before the jury panel at Ennis Circuit Court, Mr Long replied "not guilty" when arraigned in court on the charge that he assaulted Mary Nihill causing her harm, contrary to Section Three of the Offences Against the Person Act, on dates between January 1st and March 31st, 2013, at Scariff Community School.

Mr Long also replied “not guilty” when arraigned on the charge that he assaulted Elsie McMahon causing her harm contrary to Section Three of the Offences Against the Person Act on dates between January 1st and March 31st 2013 at Scariff Community School.

Counsel for the State, Philip Rahn BL told the jury Mr Long is a HSE paramedic based in Clare while Ms Nihill is from the east Clare village of Tulla and Ms McMahon is from the south east Clare village of Broadford.

Mr Rahn said other witnesses expected to give evidence include a witness from the Civil Defence, Roisín Maguire, Mark Dixon who is a senior lecturer in the University of Limerick and Det Garda Bernard Casey from Killaloe Garda Station.

The trial, before Judge Gerald Keys, is expected to be complete before the end of this week and evidence in the case will start on Wednesday.