Man to steer clear of driving, court told

A man in his early 20s accused of assaulting a garda following a road traffic incident in Mullingar last year has vowed to abstain from getting behind the wheel of a car ahead of his return to court in December.

Bonvie Ndefi (21), 100 Ardleigh Park, Mullingar appeared at Mullingar District Court charged with assaulting Garda Gary Power, causing him harm, at 4 Greenpark Vale, Mullingar, on July 17, 2023.

Mr Ndefi initially appeared in court in April where details relating to an incident at 4 Greenpark Vale, Mullingar, Westmeath on July 17, 2023 were heard.

The court, at that juncture, was told that gardaí first encountered Mr Ndefi after the accused lost control of his car, and crashed into a wall.

When Garda Gary Power subsequently tried to arrest Mr Ndefi, it was alleged the accused “resisted violently” by punching Garda Power on the head.

It was also stated Mr Ndefi attempted to “kick out” at the officer as he was being restrained.

The altercation left Garda Power suffering from concussion as well as “abrasions to his head and arms”.

The incident coincided in Mr Ndefi being hit with a section 3 assault causing harm charge as well as an accompanying dangerous driving charge.

When the case was recalled at a recent district court sitting before Judge Bernadette Owens, defence solicitor Louis Kiernan said a “certain course” would likely be taken by his client in connection to road traffic matters.

He stressed, however, that “further instructions” was required in relation to the assault charge before the court.

It was also revealed a medical report had just been handed into court ahead of the hearing and Mr Kiernan said the defence would need time to consider its contents.

Mr Kiernan intimated his client was fully agreeable to steering clear of getting behind the wheel in the interim.

“He has no issue in giving an undertaking not to drive between now and the next (court) date,” said Mr Kiernan.

Judge Owens remanded Mr Ndefi on continuing bail to December 12 next, and requested the defence make such a position known to the state in advance with the prosecution now expected, in the interim, to canvass for a victim impact statement.