A man has been charged with assault causing serious harm to a mum-of-one who is fighting for her life in hospital.
Nadine Lott, 30, remains critically ill following an incident at her house in Arklow town, Wicklow, in the early hours of Saturday.
Daniel Murtagh, with an address at Melrose Grove in Clondalkin, Dublin, appeared at Bray District Court, Wicklow, this afternoon.
During a brief hearing, the court was told he said ‘Sorry’ when Gardai charged him.
The 32-year-old was brought to court from Wicklow Garda Station shortly before 3pm, escorted by two detectives and one uniformed garda.
A large media presence awaited his arrival and he was brought into court through a rear entrance past photographers.
The accused was dressed in a green jumper, white shirt, navy trousers and brown shoes.
He was arrested at Tallaght Hospital on Saturday morning after being involved in a single vehicle crash at Laragh, Co Wicklow, at 7am.
Garda detective Darren Mulhall gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
The charge was put to him at 1.40pm yesterday (Monday) afternoon at Wicklow Garda Station.
Murtagh replied: “Sorry.”
The detective told the court that the charge is assault causing serious harm, but there is the possibility of a more serious charge.
He added that if a person is found guilty of assault causing serious harm the sentence can be life imprisonment.
Gardai objected to bail.
The bail application, details of which cannot be reported, took 20 minutes and was refused by Judge David Kennedy.
Murtagh, who is on social welfare, was granted free legal aid.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill Court on Thursday.
Nadine remains critically ill at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.
A candlelit vigil is to be held for her at the park in Arklow town this evening.
