'Hardy Bucks' star accused of attacking three men in pub brawl

Actor Martin Maloney, one of the stars of cult comedy show 'Hardy Bucks', has appeared in court accused of attacking three men in a popular Dublin pub last year.

'Hardy Bucks' star accused of attacking three men in pub brawl

Actor Martin Maloney, one of the stars of cult comedy show 'Hardy Bucks', has appeared in court accused of attacking three men in a popular Dublin pub last year.

Maloney became famous for playing the role of Eddie Durkan in the hit mockumentary programme which was set in a west of Ireland town and followed the antics of five down-on-their-luck young men.

The popular comedy started out as “webisodes” broadcast online but was later picked up by RTÉ and the cast also went on to star in the feature film titled 'The Hardy Bucks Movie' which this year became a box office hit in Irish cinemas.

The actor returned to TV screens last month when he appeared in TV3's 'Celebrity Apprentice'.

Today, the 30-year-old appeared at Dublin District Court to face three assault charges.

Mr Maloney, who has an address at Bollingbrook Drive, Swinford, Co Mayo, is accused of assaulting a man named Ahmed Alhourani, at The Big Tree, on Dorset Street, in central Dublin, on October 9 last year.

The Mayo man also faces more serious charges under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for assault causing harm to two men named Brian Smith and Mark O'Shaughnessy, on the same date at The Big Tree pub.

Mountjoy Garda Eamon Honan told Judge Cormac Dunne today that he met Mr Maloney by appointment on September 23 last when the charges were put to him. The court heard that the actor had “no reply to the charges after caution”.

Gda Honan said that directions from the DPP needed to be obtained as well as two medical reports.

The DPP directions are required to determine whether the case will be dealt with at District Court level or instead be sent forward to the Circuit Court, which, on conviction, has tougher sentencing powers.

Defence solicitor Tony Collier asked for an eight-week adjournment, which was granted.

Mr Collier also obtained an order for disclosure of the prosecution's evidence ahead of the next hearing.

These include written statements from complainants and from interviews as well as CCTV footage, the court heard.

Judge Dunne remanded the entertainer, who has not yet entered pleas to the charges, on bail to appear again in December.

A decision on whether or not he will be entitled to legal aid was deferred. Gda Honan said that when arrested Mr Maloney was in possession of €1,500, which the defence lawyer said was payment for work the actor did last year.

Mr Collier had made an application for free legal aid to be granted to his client and explained in court today that Mr Maloney is “impecunious”. Mr Collier said the 30-year-old is an “actor and an entertainer, from work that fluctuates from time to time”.

Judge Dunne said the adjournment will allow Gda Honan to confer with the defence solicitor to verify Mr Maloney's financial circumstances.

Dressed in a navy suit, white shirt and blue tie, the Swinford actor spoke briefly during the hearing saying “good morning” to the judge at the start of the proceedings and “thank you” when his case was adjourned.

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