Crime & Law

Woman (48) charged over attack on partner with Parkinson’s who died of injuries

Olesja Hertova, a Czech national and the long-term partner of James ‘Shey’ Ryan (61), was held on bail set at €15,000

James 'Shey' Ryan was found near his home in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, early on Saturday morning, August 10th. Photograph: RIP.ie
James 'Shey' Ryan was found near his home in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, early on Saturday morning, August 10th. Photograph: RIP.ie
Tom Tuite
Wed Aug 28 2024 - 14:51

A woman (48) has been charged with attacking her partner who died after suffering a fractured skull injury at their home in Balbriggan, Dublin.

Olesja Hertova, a Czech national, the long-term partner and carer for James Ryan (61) wept when she appeared before Judge Monika Leech at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Ryan, a father of four, grandfather and former member of the Defence Forces, suffered from Parkinson’s disease and COPD and died a day after he was injured on August 10th, the court was told.

Ms Hertova is accused of causing him serious harm at their home in Hastings Lawns on August 10th and was held on bail set at €15,000.

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Det Gda Stephen Hughes said she made no reply when charged, and a file is to be submitted to the DPP for instructions about further charges.

Visibly upset family members of the deceased watched the proceedings from the public gallery.

Ms Hertova did not address the court and applied for bail through her barrister, Marc Thompson, who proposed the court could impose stringent conditions.

Objecting to bail, Det Gda Hughes cited the seriousness of the case, flight risk and witness interference concerns.

He claimed that on August 10th, the accused was in Mr Ryan’s house when he returned “and a physical altercation took place during which her partner received fatal injuries and passed away on August 11th.”

The court also heard they had one child together, and the accused had been Mr Ryan’s partner for just over 16 years.

The detective said Mr Ryan’s injuries were “directly attributable to the altercation”, and he alleged that “the accused pushed the injured party, knocking him on the floor and fracturing his skull.”

He said the entire incident was captured on CCTV and witnessed by neighbours.

The detective also said the accused got drunk and visited the home of a witness, resulting in gardaí being called and the accused being “guided away”.

Cross-examined by counsel, the garda agreed the video evidence had been seized under warrant, and the witnesses who provided the footage were unnecessary.

The detective claimed that a few days after the incident, the defendant went to Balbriggan Garda station asking for the return of her passport and told a family liaison officer she intended to return to the Czech Republic.

The deceased man’s daughter, Karen Ryan, told the hearing the accused had called to her Balbriggan home just after 11pm on August 15th.

She agreed she told her to leave and claimed the accused had to be “guided away” from her house and was shouting.

Judge Leech held there was no witness intimidation evidence, but the request for her passport caused the court grave concern.

However, she noted the defendant had no prior convictions and set bail in her own bond of €5,000. She also ordered approval of an independent surety of €10,000 before Ms Hertova could be released.

The judge said when bail is taken up, she must have no contact with witnesses, including by social media, sign on regularly at a Garda station, obey a 10pm to 6am curfew, and not leave her home unless she notifies Det Gda Hughes.

Judge Leech remanded her in custody with consent to bail to appear again via video link on September 4th. She granted her legal aid.

The charge is under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.