Michael Healy-Rae bail granted to man accused of attack

He is accused of attacking the Kerry TD in traffic

After gardaí objected to his release, Ms Justice Cathleen Noctor ruled in his favour at Cloverhill.

Foley faces a charge of assault causing harm over an alleged incident on Cork Street on 16 September, which gardaí have called "unprovoked".

Why the Michael Healy-Rae bail decision matters

Two days after his arrest, a District Court judge had already refused the 51-year-old bail.

The High Court heard the case again this week after he appealed that refusal.

When gardaí first arrested Foley, the TD was recovering from the attack that left him needing stitches to his face.

His case comes amid another recent case which involved an alleged attack on a public representative.

Allegedly, a farmer tried to hit Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

What the court heard about the attack

As per RTÉ, Ms Justice Noctor found no evidence for the concerns raised by gardaí, who said that Foley might interfere with witnesses or target the TD again.

As she called it an alleged general attack on someone who happened to hold elected office, she said she was "not convinced it was clearly politically motivated."

A conviction, she added, would likely bring a custodial sentence, while she did accept the alleged assault was serious.

What bail conditions has Anthony Foley been given?

Foley must lodge a bond of €1,400 and provide an independent surety of €500, approved by the court.

He also faces a curfew and is excluded from the Dublin 2 area, as he must live at a Garda-approved address and report twice a day to his local Garda station.

When is the case back in court?

Foley, 50, is due back before the District Court later this month. The DPP will outline its directions on the prosecution then.