Woman appears in court following death of her partner in Dublin

A woman has appeared in court following the death of her partner in Dublin earlier this month.

Olesja Hertova, 48, with an address at Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, appeared before Dublin District Court on Wednesday charged with causing serious harm to James ‘Shey’ Ryan.

The court heard that Hertova was a carer for her partner of 16 years, a former member of the Defence Forces who had Parkinson’s disease and COPD.

Detective Garda Stephen Hughes from Balbriggan Garda Station said that Mr Ryan died in hospital a day after a physical altercation on August 10.

He said during this altercation, Mr Ryan suffered a fractured skull after being allegedly pushed to the floor.

He alleged that there is CCTV footage that “captured the entire incident”.

Mr Hughes said the director of public prosecutions gave a direction late last night for the charge before the court on Wednesday and that further charges are expected on submission of the investigation file.

He objected to bail on various grounds; defence barrister Marc Thompson said Hertova would be willing to adhere to strict bail conditions.

After a lengthy bail hearing, Judge Monika Leech consented to bail on surety, setting a bail bond of 5,000 euros with an independent surety of 10,000 euros.

When Mr Thompson said that Hertova was a woman of “no means” and that she does not have independent surety, the judge said she had given a “great deal of thought” to the bail application and said she did not see “that it would be appropriate for me to reduce independent surety”.

Hertova was remanded in custody with consent to bail.

She is next due before the courts on Wednesday September 4 at 10.30am.

Several members of the deceased’s family were in court during proceedings.