Glamour model faces trial on Dublin assault charge

A new trial date has been set for a glamour model who claims she acted in self-defence when she allegedly scratched another woman’s face and bit her hand during a fight.

The hearing of Dublin model Bridget Byrne (25), who works under the name of Ava Van Rose, will go ahead in February, a judge ordered on Tuesday.

The new date had to be set after the mother-of-three kept changing her instructions to her solicitor. The model, who also starred in the short-lived reality show Infectious, appeared at Dublin District Court where she faces a single charge of assault causing harm.

It is alleged she attacked Helen Guinan at a house at Wheatfield Avenue in Clondalkin, in Dublin, on October 20th, 2013.

Defence solicitor Brian Keenan indicated the case would be contested on the grounds Ms Byrne was acting in self-defence and the trial had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

When it was called Mr Keenan explained he had been contacted on Monday because his instructions from Ms Byrne had changed. As a result he notified prosecuting gardaí he would not need to bring witnesses, including the complainant, to court.

However, Ms Byrne, who did not address the court, again changed her instructions to her solicitor on Tuesday, meaning the witnesses will be required to give evidence, and she will be contesting the case.

He also said her instructions have changed “quite a bit over the past seven days”.

Judge Miriam Malone agreed to grant an adjournment but said she was marking the case peremptory against Ms Byrne and warned her "it is definitely going ahead on the next date".

The charge is under Section Three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Judge Malone had accepted jurisdiction for the case to be dealt with at district court level after she was given an outline of the prosecution evidence

Garda Gerard Clifford of Ronanstown station told the court that on October 20th, 2013 the defendant entered a house at Wheatfield Avenue, the home of the complainant, and allegedly “assaulted her”.

He said Ms Guinan “received scratches to the face and a bite to the hand”. Her wounds were superficial and treated with creams, he said, adding that both women were known to each other.

Gardaí received a complaint two days later and they interviewed Ms Byrne, who now has an address at An Luasan, Ballybrit, Co Galway.

Her solicitor said she is pleading not guilty and said Ms Byrne “will say it was in self-defence”.

Ms Byrne faces a fine and a possible sentence of up to one year if convicted.