A 26-year-old Ennis man appeared in court at the weekend charged in connection with the death of his 30-year-old brother in Ennis a week ago.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday, Patrick McDonagh of Bridge Court, Roslevan, Ennis was charged with assault causing harm of Charlie McDonagh at Bridge Court, Roslevan, Ennis on January 28th.
Mr McDonagh is also charged with producing a knife in the course of a fight on the same date.
Sgt Daragh O'Sullivan told the court that Mr McDonagh made no comment after being charged with the offences on Friday evening.
Insp Kevin Moynihan said the Garda was objecting to bail on two grounds, that Mr McDonagh would interfere with witnesses and that because of the seriousness of the charge, he may not stand trial if granted bail.
Insp Moynihan also said there was a possibility that more serious charges would be brought before the court.
However, a solicitor for Mr McDonagh, Donal Daly, said no evidence had been produced in court to suggest that Mr McDonagh would interfere with or intimidate witnesses.
Under cross examination from Mr Daly, Insp Moynihan accepted Mr McDonagh, or anyone belonging to him, had not threatened any witnesses in the case.
Mr Daly also said the prospect of Mr McDonagh being a flight risk "are minimal to say the least".
He said Mr McDonagh is the married father of three young children, aged five, four, and two and is currently in a back-to-education scheme.
In evidence, Mr McDonagh said he was taking part in the scheme in order to learn to read and write and that his wife and sister were also in the same class. He told the court he was arrested by gardaí after being released from hospital in Galway on Thursday.
Mr Daly said: "Mr McDonagh has lived in Ennis all his life and all his family ties are here."
Judge Joseph Mangan granted bail to Mr McDonagh on condition that he not go within one mile of Bridge Court, not interfere directly or indirectly with any witnesses, surrender his passport, have no contact with residents of Bridge Court and live with his mother-in-law in Ennis.
Mr McDonagh also agreed to sign on daily at Ennis Garda station, provide his own bond of €5,000 and a cash lodgement of €5,000. He was remanded on bail until March 9th.