An Australian man was accused of assaulting an Indonesian woman whom he met on Tinder in Bali and reportedly found with a stash of weapons that he might spend several years behind bars in Indonesia. Following his arrest on Sunday, 4th of June 2023, in Kuta at the Kedin’s Inn, Australian national Drew Donal Ireland (28)was escorted in handcuffs to a press conference with Bali police on Tuesday, 6th of June 2023.
At around 6.30 p.m, police said Ireland assaulted, punched and shoved his 33-year-old Indonesian Tinder date to the ground over an IDR 1,500,000 (AUD 150) amount of money he allegedly owed her. Ireland reportedly threatened to murder his Tinder date before acting violently, and assaulted her, according to the police. After the claimed attack, the woman went to a nearby police station with her head, face, and body injuries.
The incident was reported to Kuta Police Office at 9 p.m. local time, and after an investigation, Ireland was found 500 m from the complainant’s hotel that night. When questioned outside the hotel, police said Ireland attempted to run away from them but only managed to go 500 metres before being apprehended.
Back at the police station, Ireland is said to have been upset and aggressively resisted being taken into custody. During his altercation with the police, chairs and a hotel table were damaged.
According to Article 351 of the Criminal Code, which deals with maltreatment, and maximum sentence of two years and eight months in prison, Ireland was accused of the alleged assault on the complainant.
A later search of Ireland’s hotel revealed the victim’s clothing, two knives, five fake guns, and two iron sticks. The legality of the gel blaster guns is still unknown. Cigarettes and some reportedly stolen apparel was also discovered in his hotel room.
According to Denpasar police chief Bambang Yugo Pamungkas, investigators also discovered that the Australian man had allegedly misled his Tinder date about being a member of the Australian Defence Force.
“He gave the impression that he was a member of Australian special forces, but he wasn’t. We still don’t understand why he possesses so many weapons.” Pamungkas clarified
Ireland’s Tinder date said that the Australian man was intoxicated in the night she was allegedly assaulted, based on Kuta police chief Yogie Pramagita’s explanation.
“He was drunk, so when we tried to detain him at the police station, he refused, and some chairs and tables were damaged. No officers were injured,” according to Pramagita.
“He’s been refusing to be questioned. He insisted on having someone from the embassy come here first.” Pramagita furthered.
According to a representative of Indonesian immigration, Ireland’s visa to Indonesia, which the Australian man obtained in April, is set to expire on the 11th of June, 2023.
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