Ireland Two men charged over March 2024 Waterford incident
On 11 March 2024 two men, Walid Farhan, a Syrian man aged 39, and Michael O'Keeffe, met in a shop in Waterford city at lunchtime, and the incident began on George's Street. Farhan is alleged to have followed O'Keeffe and shoved a phone into his face; he is charged with harassment and two public order offences, while O'Keeffe is charged with two assaults on Farhan and two public order offences. Both men were before the District Court, as reported on 9 January 2025, where neither made a plea and the DPP directed that the cases be dealt with there. Both men have been granted legal aid, and the case was adjourned to 13 February, when a final date will be fixed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court9 Jan
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two men were charged over an incident in Waterford involving assault, harassment and public order offences.
- Where
- The incident began on George's Street in Waterford city.
- When
- The two men met in a shop at lunchtime on 11 March 2024.
- Cause
- Walid Farhan is alleged to have followed Michael O'Keeffe and shoved a phone into his face, invading his personal space.
- Charges
- Walid Farhan, a Syrian man aged 39, is charged with harassing Michael O'Keeffe under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
- Farhan is also charged with two section 6 public order offences arising from the same incident.
- Michael O'Keeffe is charged with two section 2 assaults on Walid Farhan.
- O'Keeffe is also charged with two section 6 public order offences.
- In court
- Both men were before the District Court, as reported on 9 January 2025.
- Neither co-defendant made a plea.
- The DPP directed that the cases be dealt with at District Court level, and the judge accepted jurisdiction on the harassment charge.
- The case was adjourned to 13 February, when a final date will be fixed.
- Other details
- Both men have been granted legal aid.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident began on George’s Street in Waterford city. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe two men met in a shop on 11 March 2024 at lunchtime. (thejournal.ie)
- causeFarhan allegedly followed O’Keeffe, shoving a phone into his face and invading his personal space. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeWalid Farhan has been charged with harassment of Michael O’Keeffe. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeFarhan is accused of harassing O’Keeffe under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeFarhan is also accused of two section 6 public order offences arising from the same incident. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeO’Keeffe is charged with two section 2 assaults on Farhan. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeO’Keeffe is also accused of two section 6 public order offences. (thejournal.ie)
- courtNeither co-defendant made a plea. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe DPP directed that the cases be dealt with at District Court level. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge accepted jurisdiction on the harassment charge, so it will be heard in the District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 13 February, when a final date will be fixed. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBoth men have been granted legal aid. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Jan2025Anti-immigration activist and man he 'clashes with online' both charged after altercation in Waterford
Reports the District Court appearance of both men, the charges against each, and the adjournment to 13 February. Also notes that the DPP directed the cases be heard in the District Court.
accused, Michael O'Keeffe, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Keeffeaccused, Walid Farhan, 39, male, Syrian, named, non-irishWalid Farhan