O’Donoghue assault charge

FLAT jockey Colm O’Donoghue was in court this week having been charged with assaulting the same woman on two separate dates last year.

O’Donoghue, who has ridden very rarely on the racecourse this year, appeared in Carrick-on-Suir District Court. He stands accused of assault causing harm to a female on October 6th, 2018 in Fethard and of assaulting the same woman at the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, Co Meath on November 12th, 2018. The complaints were lodged in February and O’Donoghue was charged with the offences on Wednesday night. His solicitor Tracy Horan told the court that her client “refutes all charges”.

The case was adjourned to January 16th next but O’Donoghue was excused from appearing on that date “as he will be outside the jurisdiction”.

O’Donoghue, who turns 39 next week, has enjoyed plenty of top-level success. He won the 2011 Irish Derby on Treasure Beach and last year he rode Alpha Centauri to win four Group 1 races.

However, he started this season without a retainer and has had two winners in Ireland from less than 50 rides.