A District Court judge yesterday struck out charges against a Lithuanian man accused of threatening to kill and falsely imprison a 40-year-old Ennis woman, due to the absence of an interpreter.
Arturas Kupriscenka (22), Holland Drive, Liscannor, Co Clare, appeared at Ennis District Court in connection with the false imprisonment and assault and stealing the handbag of the woman at Ballyalla, on the outskirts of Ennis, Co Clare, on Sunday last.
Tara Godfrey, solicitor for the accused, said that her client faced "very serious charges". An interpreter was not present when Mr Kupriscenka was charged and he did not understand what he was being charged with.
"The State was aware that an interpreter would be required for today's hearing in relation to Mr Kupriscenka," Ms Godfrey added.
"Foreign nationals should not be treated any different and should receive fair and equitable treatment and it is only fair that Mr Kupriscenka should know what he is being charged with."
Judge Joseph Mangan struck out the charges before the court without prejudice to the State bringing fresh charges against the man.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/6e8ec300-40e5-4306-a133-026729d6d8b8.png)