12 February 2023 , 09:12
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A man has been accused of attacking popular a social media influencer who was injured as she had dinner in Dublin.
Charleen Murphy boasts 188,000 followers on Instagram and 145,000 on TikTok and regularly posts content.
Craig O'Brien, 27, from Ballyfermot, Dublin, was arrested and charged with assault causing harm to Ms Murphy at the Grafton Capital Hotel, on Friday night after she allegedly blocked him online.
The alleged incident occurred after she had posted about her night out, reports the Irish Mirror.
CCTV footage was played during the bail hearing appearing to show Ms Murphy sitting at a table before being punched from behind (@charleenmurphy/Instagram)
Craig O'Brien, 27, from Ballyfermot, Dublin, was arrested and charged with assault causing harm to Ms Murphy (Irish Mirror)Mr O'Brien was held pending his appearance at Dublin District Court on Saturday when Judge Paula Murphy remanded him in custody.
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Police officer Stephen McDonnell told the court that it was alleged Ms Murphy had been socialising with a friend in the hotel lounge on Friday when a male entered and "viciously attacked" and injured her.
The contested bail hearing was told the man was "someone known to her and her friend through personal online abuse on various social media accounts".
The court heard he allegedly approached Ms Murphy, who was having dinner with her friend from behind, and "punched her full force to the back of the head".
CCTV footage was played during the bail hearing appearing to show Ms Murphy sitting at a table before being punched from behind and blood pouring from her head afterwards.
It was claimed she and her friend recognised him from "previous online abuse" and that afterwards he sent her a voice message via social media saying, "How's the head?".
The social media star had a two-inch laceration to the right side of her face near her hairline and received stitches.
The court heard she had blocked him but he allegedly continued to create fake accounts to follow and contact her. she told the court: "I've never seen him in real life before."
The assault charge can carry a maximum sentence of five years. The accused, who spoke only to give instructions to his solicitor, has not yet indicted a plea.
The defence pleaded with the court to grant bail with conditions including a social media ban. The solicitor pointed out that her client had presented himself at a garda station which was not indicative of someone who would evade justice.
She added that O'Brien had strong ties to the jurisdiction; he was looking after his mother and was receiving a €200 a week carer's allowance.
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In her ruling, Judge Murphy stressed that this was not the hearing of the case but a bail application and the accused had the presumption of innocence. She refused bail.
He will appear at Cloverhill District Court on February 17.