Man (29) due in court over serious assault in Waterford

A 29-YEAR-OLD man charged with the assault causing harm of a man who remains critical in hospital will appear in court this morning.

Martin Smith, Closegate, in Waterford city, appeared at a special sitting of Waterford District Court last night charged in connection with the assault of Michael Corbett (51) shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Mr Corbett sustained severe head injuries at Barrack Street in Waterford city on Saturday night and remained in a critical condition at Cork University hospital last night.

In evidence, Garda Stephen Murphy told Judge Gerry Furlong that he arrested Martin Sonny Smith at the address at 12.53am on Sunday.

The accused was arrested and taken to the Garda station at Ballybricken, where he was detained for questioning. He made “no reply” to a caution given at 3.50pm yesterday.

Mr Smith, who is unemployed, was granted free legal aid at the court sitting, which lasted less than 15 minutes at Waterford courthouse last night.

Insp John Mulligan told Judge Furlong that the State would oppose bail because of the seriousness of the charge, while “further charges may be considered”.