Case No. 0040Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 16 Sep 2026
Man charged with assault on Michael Healy-Rae granted bail
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae was assaulted while sitting in his car on Cork Street in Dublin on 16 September 2026, when a man walking a dog shouted obscenities and punched him in the face, causing a laceration to his lip and damage to his front teeth. Anthony Foley, 51, of Dublin 8, was charged with assault causing harm and denied bail in the District Court two days later. On 8 October, Ms Justice Cathleen Noctor in the High Court granted Foley bail with strict conditions including a curfew and exclusion from Dublin 2, noting she was not convinced the attack was politically motivated. On 20 October, Judge Alan Mitchell adjourned the case to 1 December pending DPP directions.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Charged20 Oct
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae was assaulted while sitting in his car on Cork Street in Dublin on 16 September 2026.
- The assailant, who was walking a dog, shouted obscenities before punching Healy-Rae in the face, causing a laceration to his lip and damage to his front teeth.
- Where
- The incident occurred outside the Coombe Hospital on Cork Street, Dublin, just after 4 pm.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage with audio captured the incident.
- Charges
- Anthony Foley, 51, of Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, was charged with assault causing harm on 16 September 2026.
- In court
- Foley was denied bail in the District Court two days after the incident.
- On 8 October 2026, Ms Justice Cathleen Noctor in the High Court granted Foley bail with conditions including a 500 euro independent surety, 1,400 euro lodged, a garda-approved address, twice-daily sign-on, an 8 pm to 8 am curfew, and exclusion from Dublin 2.
- Ms Justice Noctor said she was not convinced the attack was clearly politically motivated and found no evidential basis for Garda concerns about non-appearance or witness interference.
- On 20 October 2026, Judge Alan Mitchell in Cloverhill District Court adjourned the case to 1 December pending DPP directions.
- Other details
- Foley denies being the person in the video evidence.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMichael Healy-Rae was assaulted while sitting in his car on Cork Street in Dublin on 16 September. (rte.ie)
- whatGarda Sergeant Dave Griffin alleged the accused approached Healy-Rae's car outside the Coombe Hospital just after 4 pm. (rte.ie)
- whatThe politician was the victim of an unprovoked assault. (rte.ie)
- whatThe TD was in his car stuck in traffic when the assailant, who was walking a dog, began shouting obscenities before punching him in the face. (rte.ie)
- whatHealy-Rae received treatment from an ambulance crew and was later taken to hospital for a laceration to his lip. (rte.ie)
- whatThe complainant also sustained damage to his front teeth, with the full extent pending an orthodontist assessment. (rte.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage with audio captured the incident. (rte.ie)
- chargeAnthony Foley, aged 51, of Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, is charged with assault causing harm to the politician on 16 September 2026, at Cork Street. (rte.ie)
- courtFoley was denied bail two days after the incident in the District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtFoley successfully applied for bail in the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin. (rte.ie)
- courtBail required an independent surety of €500 and the accused had to lodge €1,400. (rte.ie)
- courtThe case resumed before Cloverhill District Court on 20 October 2026 before Judge Alan Mitchell. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Mitchell ordered Foley to appear again on 1 December. (rte.ie)
- courtAt the High Court bail hearing on 8 October, Ms Justice Cathleen Noctor noted Garda concerns about non-appearance and witness interference. (rte.ie)
- courtMs Justice Noctor found no evidential basis for the Garda fears and rejected apprehensions of another serious offence targeting a politician. (rte.ie)
- courtFoley must live at a garda-approved address and sign on twice daily at his nearest garda station. (rte.ie)
- courtAdditional terms include an 8pm to 8am curfew and complete exclusion from the Dublin 2 area. (rte.ie)
- courtFoley had to provide a mobile phone number and remain contactable. (rte.ie)
- otherMs Justice Noctor said she was not convinced the attack was clearly politically motivated. (rte.ie)
- otherFoley denies being the person in the video evidence. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Oct2026Man accused of Michael Healy-Rae assault out on bail
Details the High Court bail hearing, the stringent bail conditions imposed, the DPP directions pending, and the six-week adjournment to 1 December.
victim, Michael Healy-Rae, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Healy-Raeaccused, Anthony Foley, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Foley