Man (51) accused of 'politically' motivated car-punch attack on Michael Healy-Rae denied bail

LAST UPDATE | 8 hrs ago

A MAN ACCUSED of a politically motivated “broad daylight” attack on Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae in Dublin following a tirade of abuse has been denied bail.

Anthony Foley (51) allegedly told the politician, “Ok bucko, you’re in the wrong area, get out of here you a fucking snake” before punching him through his car window, Judge Karen Dowling was told at Dublin District Court today.

Foley, who is charged with assault causing harm to Healy-Rae on 16 September 2026, told gardaí “it is a 100 per cent not me”, his solicitor said during a contested bail hearing.

The former minister of state was on his way home from Dáil Éireann, which resumed following the summer break. He was stopped in traffic in his white Skoda, which had “Michael Healy-Rae” signage, in the south inner city on Wednesday just after 4pm, when he sustained injuries.

Unemployed Foley told gardaí he had no fixed address, though he said via his solicitor in court that he could live at a property on Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8.

The charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Gardaí must obtain directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Objecting to bail, Garda Paul Nolan from the Kevin Street Serious Crime Unit cited the seriousness of the incident, maintaining it was politically motivated and there were concerns for other representatives.

He said the accused made no reply when charged.

Garda Nolan alleged that Michael Healy-Rae, a serving public representative, was the victim of a violent, unprovoked broad-daylight attack.

It was alleged that he called 999 shortly after 4pm to report the incident, which occurred while he was sitting in his car and stopped in traffic outside the Coombe hospital.

The garda said the attacker was a man walking a dog with a distinctive harness.

Garda Nolan believed that was the accused and that he approached and punched the TD in the face through the vehicle window. It caused a laceration to his upper lip that required seven stitches.

Healy-Rae was subsequently discharged from hospital and required further assessment from a dentist regarding possible orthodontic damage.

According to the evidence, CCTV footage of the incident has been obtained. The accused was allegedly observed walking his dog and shouting, “You’re in the wrong area. Get out of here, you fucking snake,” before walking over to the vehicle while it was stopped in traffic.

It was alleged that Healy-Rae tried to move the car in anticipation of an assault, and the accused punched him through the open driver’s window.

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Gardaí working in the area the following afternoon observed Foley in black clothing matching the attacker’s attire on CCTV.

The garda said he recognised the accused, who had a dog similar to the one seen with the attacker. He was arrested and questioned.

The officer contended that, when shown the video evidence, Foley said at one point, “What’s that around me [sic] dog’s neck?”, which the defence denied.

Under cross-examination by defence solicitor Richard Young, it emerged that the accused was asked about political affiliations and replied that he did not know why he was being asked that question.

The investigating officer agreed that no formal ID parade was conducted, denied hitting the politician, and told gardaí, “That is not me, 100%.”

Young told the court that his client explained during interviews that six or seven people in the area own the same type of distinctive dog as him, noting that the mother of his own dog had eight puppies and they all looked alike.

Regarding an allegation that the dog on the CCTV footage wore a distinctive harness, the solicitor contended that such items are readily available in any pet shop, and he also disputed that his client owned a jacket similar to the one worn by the individual in the footage.

Pleading for bail, the solicitor argued that the court should be mindful of the dangers of visual identification evidence.

In response, the garda differentiated it by saying the case relied on recognition rather than identification, stating that the accused had been recognised from the CCTV footage.

Young cited case law noting that, in several instances, such identification has proved erroneous, and that this inherent weakness would result in complete injustice.

The garda said the accused was unequivocal that he would not take part in an identity parade. He added that no conditions would satisfy him.

The footage, without audio, was later played in court, capturing the moment a dog walker approached the driver’s side of the car.

Young said his client maintains “vehement denials”, will contest the charge if it goes to trial and would abide by conditions if released and would provide a surety.

He said he was glad he had now seen the footage in court, as it was “quite clear” his client was not the person in the CCTV evidence and could not be identified.

Judge Dowling said Foley, who sat silently throughout the hearing, enjoys the presumption of innocence and bail. However, it was not a trial, and the court’s only job was to consider bail at this stage.

She said there was no evidence of Foley failing to appear in court previously, or that he would interfere with witnesses in this matter.

However, the judge held that it was necessary to refuse bail to prevent further offences, noting the strength of the evidence and the sentence likely to be imposed on conviction.

The accused, dressed in a blue jumper, black pants and runners, was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday. The judge agreed to direct medical attention.