Assault Death Accused Is Remanded

A 32-year-old man has been in Dublin District Court this morning (Friday) charged in connection with the death of a woman fatally assaulted last week.

Tracey O'Brien, 31, with an address at North Circular Road, Dublin, died on Thursday at Beaumont hospital.

She had been critically ill since an attack outside the Rotunda hospital on Parnell Street in the north inner city on June 18th.

The man in court today had been arrested in the Clondalkin area of Dublin under section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act.

Wesley Ward, 32, of Aras na Cluaine, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was charged with assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

There was an application for bail, to which police had not objection, subject to a number of conditions.

However, as one of these was to surrender his passport - something the accused does not possess - Judge Bridget Reilly remanded Mr Ward in custody to appear in court on July 24th with consent to bail pending approval of his mother as independent surety for bail of €5,000.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that detectives investigating the death of the woman victim think it may have been video-recorded.

Gardaí have today appealed for anyone who recorded the assault on a mobile phone to come forward.

It has also emerged that a 34-year-old female arrested in connection with the death was subsequently released later without charge.

However, a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Meanwhile, the State Pathologist has been notified and a post mortem on the victim will take place tomorrow.

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for public assistance in relation to this incident.

Anyone who was on Parnell Square East on Thursday, 18th June 2009, between 2pm and 2.30pm and who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street on 01 6668455, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

(BMcC/JM)