Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8374Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin

Man accused of attacking TD Michael Healy-Rae seeks High Court bail

On 16 September 2026, just after 4pm on Cork Street in Dublin 8, Michael Healy-Rae, a TD, was allegedly punched through his open car window, causing a laceration to his upper lip that needed seven stitches. Gardaí arrested Anthony Foley, a 51-year-old man, the following afternoon, and he has been charged with assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, which he denies. Foley was denied bail in the District Court on 18 September, appeared at Cloverhill District Court on 22 September, and was further remanded in custody for two weeks pending DPP directions. The most recent development is that his High Court bail application, before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, is listed for the 7 October High Court bail list, and he is due to appear again on 6 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Sep
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The accused is alleged to have punched Healy-Rae through his open car window.
  • The punch caused a laceration to Healy-Rae's upper lip that required seven stitches.
Where
The assault took place on Cork Street in Dublin 8.
When
The attack occurred on 16 September 2026, just after 4pm.
Cause
It was alleged that the politician was subjected to a politically motivated attack.
Investigation
  • CCTV is alleged to show the accused walking his dog and shouting before approaching the stopped car and punching Healy-Rae.
  • Gardaí arrested Foley the following afternoon after seeing him walking a dog similar to the one seen with the attacker, and questioned him about political affiliations.
  • Gardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Other details
Foley denies the attack, told gardaí it was not him, and his solicitor disputes the identification evidence.
Charges
Foley is charged with assault causing harm to Healy-Rae, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997.
In court
  • Foley was denied bail in the District Court on 18 September and has formally appealed that decision.
  • Foley appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Cloverhill District Court on 22 September and was further remanded in custody for two weeks pending DPP directions.
  • His High Court bail application is listed before Ms Justice Melanie Greally for the 7 October High Court bail list.
  • Foley is due to appear again on 6 October.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHealy-Rae suffered a laceration to his upper lip that required seven stitches. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe accused allegedly punched Healy-Rae through his open car window. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe punch caused a laceration to Healy-Rae's upper lip that required seven stitches. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at Cork Street, Dublin 8. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened on Cork Street in Dublin 8. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe attack occurred on 16 September 2026 in the south inner city, just after 4pm. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened just after 4pm on 16 September. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeIt was alleged that the politician was subjected to a politically motivated attack. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationCCTV evidence allegedly shows the accused walking his dog and shouting before approaching the stopped vehicle and punching Healy-Rae. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Foley the day after the attack, after observing him walking a dog similar to the one seen with the attacker. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said CCTV evidence showed the accused walking his dog and shouting before approaching the stopped car. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Foley the following afternoon after seeing him walking a dog. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationFoley was arrested, questioned and asked about political affiliations. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFoley is charged with assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeFoley is charged with assault causing harm to Healy-Rae. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFoley was denied bail on 18 September in the District Court and has formally appealed that decision. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe High Court bail application was listed before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and was scheduled for the 7 October High Court bail list. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFoley was denied bail at a hearing the previous Friday. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFoley appeared before Judge Fiona Brennan at Cloverhill District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFoley was further remanded in custody for two weeks pending DPP directions. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtFoley is due to appear again on 6 October. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFoley denies the attack and his solicitor disputes the identification evidence. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFoley told gardaí that it was not him. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Sep2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Man accused of punching Michael Healy-Rae detained without bail for two more weeks

    Remand hearing at Cloverhill District Court. Foley was denied bail the previous Friday, has been remanded for two weeks pending DPP directions, and is due back on 6 October. He denies the offence.

    victim, Michael Healy-Rae, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Healy-Raeaccused, Anthony Foley, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Foley
  2. 1 Sep2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man accused of car-punch attack on Michael Healy-Rae launches High Court bail bid

    Reports the accused's High Court bail application, the District Court refusal on 18 September, the alleged motive, CCTV-based identification and the accused's denial.

    accused, Anthony Foley, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Foleyvictim, Michael Healy-Rae, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Healy-Rae