THREE YOUNG MEN have been charged with causing serious harm to a Gorey father who died from head injuries in Beaumont Hospital on Monday.

The three defendants – two Latvians and a Lithuanian – appeared before Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla at Wexford District Court on Monday afternoon, charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to James Doyle at Forte Road, Gorey on Saturday morning last, November 14.

The three young men charged with causing him serious harm, contrary to Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act of 1997 are Mantis Kriksciunas (18) of 31 The Avenue, Gorey; Artus Janovskis (23), 16 The Gallops, Ramsgate Village, Gorey, and Roman Muhins (19), 20 Station Court, The Avenue, Gorey.

Artus Janovskis and Roman Muhins are also charged with assaulting and causing harm to Neil Doyle, a relative of James Doyle at Forte Road on the same date, while Mantis Kriksciunas is charged with a simlar offence at Eire Street, Gorey.

Garda Damien Jackson told the court that he arrested Roman Muhins at his home on Saturday morning and brought him to Gorey Garda Station. He was later cautioned and charged at Enniscorthy Garda Station.

In reply to each charge, his response was: 'I don't know what to say'.

Garda Jackson told Judge O Buachalla that the accused was Latvian and did not speak fluent English. He asked for a remand in custody to Clover Hill District Court.

Peter Creane, solicitor, applied for free legal aid on his behalf and said there would also be an application for bail.

Garda Brian Dignam gave evidence of charging Mantis Kriksciunas on the day of the court. After cautioning him on one of the charges, he replied: 'I don't like when someone calls my mother a bitch and calling me a f***ing foreigner'.

His response in relation to the other charge was: 'I was just saving myself '.

Ed King, solicitor, said his client, a native of Lithuania, was 18 years old and unemployed. He applied for free legal aid on his behalf.

Garda Dignam also gave evidence of arresting Artus Janovskis and bringing him to Gorey Garda Station where he charged him on the court date. He had no reply to the charges.

He was not represented by a solicitor and Judge O Buachalla granted him free legal aid, in view of what he called the 'seriousness of the charges'.

Mr. King told the court that he appeared for Mantis Kriksciunas at a special court sitting before Judge Coughlan on Sunday evening when he was granted bail on extremely strict conditions, on a Section 3 assault.

He asked bail to be granted again on similar conditions. He said his mother had been approved as an independent surety but she was working and could not attend court.

The conditions which the accused had agreed to were that his passport and his mother's passport would be handed over to the State; that he undertake not to apply for another passport; sign on twice daily at Gorey Garda Station; observe a curfew between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. every day, and not contact any witnesses in the case.

Mr. King said his client had been living in Ireland for five years and resided with his mother and step father. 'I would ask that he be granted bail', he said.

Garda Dignam said the Section 3 assault charge would be withdrawn at the next court because the injured party had passed away that morning.

Inspector Paul Sargent said the gardai were objecting to bail. He applied for a remand in custody due to the seriousness of the charges.

He said he understood that Mantis Kriksciunas had planned to leave the country that day, on a permanent basis.

Mr. King said his client had intended to leave the day before to take up a position in the Lithuanian army. He had no previous convictions and he was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

'I'm afraid he is going to have to be remanded in custody', said Judge O Buachalla.

Mr. King said the accused was granted an interpreter by Judge Coughlan on Sunday night and while he did not need an interpreter on Monday, he would need one when the case came to trial.

Applying for bail on behalf of Roman Muhins, Mr Creane said he also had no previous convictions. His mother was in court and was willing to go bail for him.

'You do accept that circumstances have changed', said Judge O Buachalla.

Mr. Creane said she was agreeable to the same kind of conditions as outlined. Judge O Buachalla told him that the application could be made again at the next court sitting.

Garda Dignam said Artus Janovskis had no solicitor. Judge O Buachalla asked the accused if he spoke English and he replied 'a little bit'.

Garda Dignam said he understood that he worked in Dunnes Stores. When the Judge asked him how much he earned, he said '€300'.

'He probably would be entitled to legal aid, especially given the gravity of the charges', said the Judge, granting free legal aid.

He also agreed that a Russian interpreter would be assigned to Roman Muhins.

All three defendants were remanded in custody to Clover Hill District Court this Friday, November 20.