A man accused of punching social media influencer and podcaster Charleen Murphy in a Dublin lounge will face trial before the Circuit Court.
27-year-old Craig O'Brien, with an address at Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, was arrested and charged with assault causing harm to Ms Murphy in the lounge at the Grafton Capital Hotel, on Stephen Street Lower, on the night of February 10 after she blocked him online.
Ms Murphy has 210,000 followers on Instagram and 156,000 on TikTok, co-hosts a popular podcast, and regularly creates content on beauty and fashion.
Assault
The incident occurred after she allegedly posted to social media about her night out.
Mr O'Brien was refused bail at Dublin District Court the following day and objections by Garda Stephen McDonnell, who cited the seriousness of the incident and flight risk fears.
Mr O'Brien faced his latest hearing today before Judge Cephas Power at Cloverhill District Court.
Court Garda Sergeant Shaun Keegan said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed a trial on indictment, meaning the case will go before the higher court, which can impose harsher penalties.
Sergeant Keegan also said that a further charge is to be brought and a book of evidence must be completed before a trial order is granted.
The accused, who has not yet indicated a plea, was remanded in continuing custody to appear again in four weeks.
Hearing
At his bail hearing on February 11, the arresting garda said Ms Murphy had been socialising with a friend in the hotel lounge when a male entered and "viciously attacked" and injured her.
It was alleged that the accused entered the premises, paid for a drink at 9.30 pm with his Visa card, and attacked her a minute later.
The court heard he allegedly approached Ms Murphy, who was having dinner with her friend from behind, and "punched her full force to the back of the head".
The court heard her head rebounded off the glass she was drinking, resulting in a laceration of her face.
It was claimed she and her friend recognised the attacker from "previous online abuse" and that afterwards, he sent her a voice message via social media saying, "How's the head?".
The assault charge can carry a maximum sentence of five years.
Reporting from Tom Tuite at Cloverhill District Court.
