A 67-year old Co Clare man yesterday appeared in court charged in connection with carrying out an alleged shovel attack on his brother.
At Ennis District Court, Kevin McCormack of Fanore, Co Clare is charged with the assault causing harm of his brother, Michael on June 8th of last year.
Insp Tom Kennedy said that it will be alleged that Michael McCormack sustained 20 stitches to his arm as he tried to protect his head from the shovel in the alleged assault.
According to Judge Patrick Durcan, the medical report in the case states that Michael McCormack is living fear that there will be further attacks.
Insp Kennedy said that there was a background between the two brothers prior to the incident.
Judge Durcan said that Michael McCormack has recovered from his physical injury but the incident has had a psychological impact on him.
Insp Kennedy said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is recommending that the case be heard in the district court.
However, Kevin McCormack faces a higher sanction if found guilty of the alleged assault after Judge Durcan yesterday transferred the case to the circuit court after hearing an outline of the facts.
Those charged with assault causing harm in the district court face prison terms of up to one year on conviction and this rises to prison terms up to five years on conviction in the circuit court.
Judge Durcan said that he would further adjourn the case to allow a Book of Evidence be prepared in the case.
Judge Durcan extended the time for a Book of Evidence to be prepared and adjourned the matter to January 11th next.
