ENNIS COURT REPORT

"Eoin Rice not in court due to assault" -Solicitor.

December 12, 2003 Ennis.

EOIN RICE was due in Ennis District Court today on a charge of dangerous driving (which allegedly occured in the cul-de-sac viewing area near Shannon Aerospace between 3am and 6:30am on Saturday Dec 6th.
Mr. Rice denies the charges.
His solicitor states that Mr. Rice was unable to be in court as he had to see a doctor following an assault on Sunday 'which the Gardai know something about'

Mr. Rice was listed to appear in the District Court in Ennis this morning in relation to an incident near Shannon airport several hours before the Dec 6th blockade.

As Ennis Courthouse is undergoing major refurbishment, the district court is held in the local GAA club.
Judge Joseph Mangan presided and Inspector Kevin Moynihan acted as prosecutor for the state.

Mr. Rice's solicitor, Mr. Joe Chambers said that his client could not attend court today as he had to see a doctor. He presented a copy of a medical appointment note to the judge.

The Judge replied that Mr. Rice had not mentioned this when he was in Tulla District Court on Saturday evening.

Mr. Chambers said that the assault occured in Shannon on Sunday morning after the accused was released on bail. He stated that the Garda Siochana "would have some knowledge of this assault"

Inspector Moynihan said that the Gardai had not received a complaint from Mr. Rice about an assault. The Inspector argued that the copy of the note was not good enough and that he wanted a bench warrant for Mr. Rice

Mr. Chambers again asserted that Mr. Rice was indeed attending a medical appointment following an assault. He repeated his statement that the Gardai have information on this assault and that his client will be "making serious allegations about this assault".

To this, the Inspector replied that the Gardai had not received a formal complaint about an assault, and neither had the Garda Siochana Complaints Board. (the mention of the Complaint's Board in relation to the assault raised a few eyebrows in court)

The judge did not issue a bench warrant, but adjourned the case until Friday 19th December.
Judge Mangan said that if the accused does not appear in Ennis District Court on that date, that a bench warrant will be issued for him.