Barber who left customer with facial injuries may have been acting in self defence, court hears

A barber has appeared in court accused of leaving a customer who failed to pay for his haircut with facial injuries and a suspected broken nose.

Youcef Metali, of 25 Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar, Westmeath was initially charged with assault causing harm to his alleged victim following an altercation along Friarsmill Road, Mullingar, on New Year’s Eve last year.

Sgt Sheila Kenny told the court directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were for the state to withdraw the assault allegation in favour of an affray charge.

She said the DPP had made that order on grounds that Mr Metali may have been acting in self defence.

In detailing state evidence, Sgt Kenny said the alleged victim had travelled to Mullingar from Dublin and went to a haircut at a Boston Barbers outlet in the town.

When Mr Metali finished cutting his hair, the court was told the man informed the accused he did not have funds to pay.

Sgt Kenny said Mr Metali, who is 25 years old, told the man to go and get the €27 he was required to pay and held the man’s wallet.

The man, Judge Bernadette Owens was told, returned around two hours later €3 short of that sum.

As the alleged victim remained in the immediate vicinity of the barbershop, Sgt Kenny said both men proceeded out to Friars Mill Road, where an altercation broke out.

The court was told it will be alleged the injured party pushed the accused before Mr Metali retaliated, leaving the man with “facial injuries” and a “possible broken nose”.

Sgt Kenny said gardaí escorted the man to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, after arriving at the scene.

The court heard how it will also be alleged that Mr Metali told officers the man was in the possession of a blade at the time of the incident.

Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction and remanded the accused on bail to Mullingar District Court on July 9 when a plea or date for hearing is expected to be made known.