A 35-year-old Irish man is detained after assaulting a 72-year-old restaurant owner in Pas de la Casa amid a

A 35-year-old Irish tourist remains in custody at La Comella prison after punching a 72-year-old bar-restaurant owner in Pas de la Casa on Sunday night.

Police reported that the man, who seemed heavily intoxicated, entered the venue on Avinguda d'Encamp around 10:15pm as it was closing. He demanded more alcohol, refused to leave despite requests, and struck the owner in the face. The victim fell, hit his head, and sustained injuries that remain under medical assessment. He was treated at hospital and placed under observation.

The duty Batllia ordered his provisional detention on Monday afternoon, pointing to the need to monitor the victim's condition and his risk of fleeing as a non-resident. He faces charges of physical and moral harm.

This incident forms part of a pattern of alcohol-related violence in the parish. Over the weekend, officers arrested a 21-year-old man for assaulting another nightclub patron in Pas de la Casa, causing an injury that needed treatment.

In a related case across the border, a Carcassonne court last week sentenced a 54-year-old man to 18 months in prison with immediate effect for a series of violent acts on 5 March in Villalier, Aude department, as he returned from Pas de la Casa. Driving without a licence or insurance at 1.5g/L blood alcohol, he ignored a priority junction, lightly collided with one vehicle, then deliberately swerved into another. His car mounted a kerb, burst a tyre and stopped. He grabbed a 15-year-old boy by the throat, confronted the person who took his keys to prevent further driving, insulted and threatened gendarmes with death, and refused a breath test. At hospital, he resisted a blood draw, requiring eight staff to restrain and sedate him. He attributed his state to drinks bought during the trip. The court also revoked his driving privileges for three months and ordered compensation of 300 to 800 euros each to four victims.

Prosecutors at a Massana court have requested 24 months' suspended prison—over four years' probation—for a man charged with threats, reckless driving, insulting officers and illegal possession of a Taser over an incident on 19 July 2023 near Erts in Escaldes. Witnesses described him parking a Spanish-plated luxury car with loud music under their home, where children were sleeping. When asked to lower the volume, he responded with classist insults including "andorranos de mierda" and "ricos de mierda", boasted of his wealth with remarks like "yo tengo más dinero que vosotros", and threatened to shoot them, saying "us fotré dos trets" while gesturing as if drawing a weapon. He attempted to ram one resident before leaving and returning to shout threats from outside.

He later pursued another car on the CG-4 road, driving against traffic at the Erts roundabout, flashing lights, brandishing a Taser and baton while yelling "fuck you". Mobile footage captured the erratic manoeuvres. Police stopped him at Coll de la Botella, where he shouted "fuck the police", made obscene gestures and resisted transfer, continuing his agitation in custody. The prosecution deems the charges proven and seeks a 24-month driving ban plus a 3,000-euro fine. The defence, citing no prior record in Andorra, requested a one-year suspended term, 12-month ban and 1,500-euro fine. The defendant did not attend the hearing.

Separately, Civil Guard investigators in Spain have opened proceedings against a 32-year-old Lleida resident for a traffic safety violation on the N-230 at Montanui, Ribagorça, based on dashcam footage of him illegally overtaking across a solid line in a rental van. The manoeuvre forced oncoming drivers to brake sharply in poor visibility. The case, initiated on 23 February, was forwarded to the Monzón court; potential penalties include up to two years in prison and a six-year licence suspension.