A Donegal man jailed earlier this year for a savage attack on a teenage woman and facing further assault charges had a video link appearance in court muted.
Seamus Cooley, who was imprisoned for four years in May, was before Letterkenny District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison.
The 51-year-old, who is before the court on separate assault charges, told Judge Emile Daly in respect of one matter: “There is no statement from the alleged victim”.
Cooley added: “That charge needs to be struck out.”
Judge Daly said that this was the fourth time the matter had been listed and enquired if he was still represented by solicitor Mr Brian Doherty.
“Did you hear what I said?” Cooley replied.
After Judge Daly attempted to interject, Cooley added: “I spoke first.”
The sound was then muted by Courts Service staff.
The accused man was subsequently seen, but not heard for a short period as he attempted to address the court.
Judge Daly adjourned the case until October.
In June, Cooley rejected legal representation, spoke over Judge Daly and alleged corruption during two separate appearances before the court on the same day.
The following week, he informed the court that Mr Doherty, a Dublin-based solicitor, would be representing him. On that day, Cooley added that his solicitor wasn’t present and he would need an adjournment to September.
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In July, after hearing that his case was adjourned, Cooley said: “That is the second time this has happened. Don’t do that again or I will take legal action.”
Quantity surveyor Cooley is charged with assaulting Garda Rory McGowan at an address in Lifford on May 27, 2023. The offence is contrary to section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Cooley is also charged with assaulting a man at the Angling Centre, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana on April 20, 2024 and with an assault at Murlog, Lifford on May 27, 2023.
Cooley faces a further charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on at the Angling Centre, Cahir O’Doherty Avenue, Buncrana on April 20, 2024.
In May, Cooley was jailed for four years following a savage and unprovoked attack on a teenage woman.
Cooley was jailed at Letterkenny Circuit Court for the random attack on Shanan Reid McDaid.
The court heard that Cooley rained a series of punches on the then 18-year-old’s face on October 15, 2017.
Cooley denied the attack and told Gardai that the allegation against him was “bullshit” while he was said to have been “extremely derogatory” about Ms Reid McDaid and other women.
Cooley has been in prison since last June, when he was remanded in custody for repeated bail breaches, and his barrister, Mr James McGowan SC, said that being incarcerated has been “difficult” for his client.
Judge John Aylmer described then incident as a “very violent physical attack” and imposed a four-year prison sentence.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme