A 35-year-old man has appeared in court in Naas in Co Kildare charged with a serious assault following the death of Patsy Kelly in the town on Saturday night.
Paul Gill - with an address on Sarto Road - is accused of punching and kicking the 58-year-old - who later died in hospital.
Mr Gill will be remanded in custody until a further bail hearing on Thursday.
Gardaí say they expect a more serious charge to follow.
Detective Garda Enda Coleman told the court the 35-year-old remained silent when told he was charged with a serious assault causing harm.
He told Judge Patrick Clyne that Mr Gill admitted punching Mr Kelly while he was standing and punching and kicking him while he was on the ground on Saturday night - and that he was caught ‘red handed’ at the scene.
Detective Garda Coleman said a more serious charge was likely.
Judge Clyne told the court his great fear was for the safety of the accused equal to the feelings of Mr Kelly’'s family - who were in court for today'’s hearing - noting he didn'’t want to see a ‘lynch mob’ or another incident - saying one ‘was bad enough’.
The conditions attached to bail are a 5-thousand euro cash lodgement and an independent surety to be vetted by the Gardaí.
Mr Gill must also sign-in at a Garda station three times per week; carry a mobile phone which is GPS tracked and switched on at all times; and surrender his passport and travel IDs.
He must also stay at an approved address known to Gardaí - stay out of Naas save for court appearances - and make no contact with any of the witnesses in the case.
HeÂ’s been remanded in custody at Clover Hill - until ThursdayÂ’'s second bail hearing.
