A Co Wicklow solicitor who admitted biting two people while at a fancy dress party has been acquitted before a special sitting of Wicklow District Court on two counts of assault causing harm.
The trial of Andrew Tarrant, Leitrim House, Leitrim Place, Wicklow, lasted over six hours before Judge Leo Malone dismissed the charges on the grounds that he was not convinced as to the circumstances surrounding the alleged assaults.
Mr Tarrant, who is employed as a solicitor in his father's Wicklow town practice, was charged following an incident at a house party in Coolawinna Park, Ashford, on March 27th, 2005, in which the hostess Marian Hardshorn and guest Aidan Murphy were bitten by the accused, who had attended the party uninvited.
Under oath, Ms Hardshorn testified that she saw Mr Tarrant involved in a scuffle with approximately three other people but there did not seem to be any physical contact. On approaching him, Mr Tarrant allegedly lunged at her but Mr Murphy, a guest, put his arm out to block him at which point Mr Tarrant "sunk his teeth into the arm and just kept grip". She said she pulled Mr Tarrant by the nose while another guest, Dermot Byrne, managed to restrain him. But Mr Tarrant allegedly lunged at Ms Hardshorn again, biting her below the right thumb. He was then physically restrained and placed on the ground.
Her testimony was corroborated by a number of other witnesses, including Dermot O'Byrne and Mr Murphy.
Defence barrister Michael O'Higgins SC submitted photographs of injuries sustained by Mr Tarrant on the night, including bruising to his forehead and leg, and a contusion on his shoulder. None of the prosecution witnesses, under cross-examination, could account for these, a point raised by Mr O'Higgins who alleged that the witnesses were being "selective" in their testimonies.
In evidence, Mr Tarrant admitted to being drunk at the party and biting the two individuals concerned but claimed that it was in self defence.