A man accused of attacking popular influencer Charleen Murphy back in February has been sent forward for trial.
Craig O’Brien, 27, is charged with assault causing harm to Charleen at a hotel in Dublin’s city centre on the night of February 10.
The social media star was enjoying dinner with a friend when the accused allegedly approached her from behind and “punched her full force to the back of the head”.
The court previously heard that the man was “someone known to her and her friend through personal online abuse on various social media accounts”.
It was alleged the accused entered the hotel and paid for a drink at 9.30pm, before he attacked Charleen a minute later.
The court heard how Charleen’s head rebounded off a glass in front of her when she was punched, resulting in a two-inch laceration to the right side her face.
Charleen went to St James’s Hospital where she received stitches, and left A&E at 5am.
Charleen said she and her friend recognised him from “previous online abuse”, and it’s alleged he sent her a voice message on social media after the incident saying, “How’s the head?”
The next day, Charleen appeared in court to give evidence at the bail hearing.
Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody after Garda Stephen McDonnell objected to bail as he stressed the seriousness of the alleged incident.
During a hearing at Cloverhill District Court on August 22nd, which Charleen attended, Judge Alan Mitchell granted a trial order sending Mr O’Brien forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The case will be listed for mention on October 13.
Mr O’Brien, yet to enter a plea, spoke only to confirm he understood a warning that he must notify the prosecution if he intended to use an alibi.
His solicitor Damien Coffey pleaded for bail in court, saying his client was attempting to address mental health issues and, at the time, he had a “skewed” understanding of reality.
The solicitor said his client would undertake not to contact Ms Murphy, who appeared in court; however, the bail application was denied.
The judge granted legal aid to the accused and ordered gardaí to provide the defence with copies of interview videos.
Court reporting by Tom Tuite.
