A man was stabbed in the face after being pinned to the ground by three attackers armed with a knife, a nail, and a stick in central Dublin, a court heard.
Jeffrey Kelly, aged 44, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, is accused of attacking Joseph Morgan, who suffered “life-changing injuries” on September 10th. Mr. Kelly appeared at Dublin District Court but had bail denied by Judge Catherine Ghent on Saturday.
Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher stated that his client denies the allegations. Mr. Kelly has been charged with assault causing harm to Mr. Morgan, also in his 40s and from Blanchardstown. The offence, upon conviction, carries a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Citing the seriousness of the case, Garda Paul Cummins alleged that Mr. Morgan was stabbed in the face around 10 a.m. outside a drug treatment centre on Spring Garden Lane, Dublin 2. Garda Cummins said he arrived at the scene to find medics treating Mr. Morgan, who had multiple deep lacerations to his face. He was subsequently taken to St James’s Hospital.
The complainant reported being attacked by three males wielding a knife, a nail, and a stick, which they used during the assault. CCTV footage capturing the incident was obtained from several locations; Garda Cummins described the quality of the footage as excellent.
According to Garda Cummins, the case against Mr. Kelly is that he struck the victim first, causing him to fall. It was alleged that the assault was premeditated and targeted, with Mr. Morgan pinned down on the ground. He sustained deep cuts above his left eye, on his forehead, below his right eye, on the side of his head near his ear, and the top of his head, all requiring stitches, along with facial bruising.
The accused was searched a day later in the city centre and found to be in possession of a wooden spike with a blood-stained substance on it. Gardaí believe this object was used in the assault and have sent it for technical analysis.
Mr. Kelly was arrested on the Friday following the incident and detained for an interview, during which he made no comment. Garda Cummins stated it was believed Mr. Kelly was wearing the same clothing as during the incident.
A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, with further charges expected.
It was also alleged that the assault was witnessed by a manager at the treatment centre. Garda Cummins expressed concerns regarding possible witness interference.
Mr. Kelleher disputed that his client was identifiable by distinctive features, contending that the CCTV footage depicted a person in generic clothing and a baseball cap. Garda Cummins agreed but maintained that the accused was easily tracked in the footage by his clothing and was identified through facial features.
The defence pointed out that the cap worn obscured the face; however, Garda Cummins stated that the cap was not pulled down over the face.
Mr. Kelleher emphasized that his client made no admissions, denies the allegations, and could remain in custody on remand until his trial, which is unlikely to be heard before 2027 in the Circuit Court. He argued that the key facts required under the Bail Act for denying bail in extreme circumstances had not been established.
Furthermore, the solicitor stressed that Mr. Kelly is a man of modest means, had no reason to be near the area, and has no previous prison custody history. Legal aid was granted, and Mr. Kelly is unemployed.
Judge Ghent refused bail and remanded Mr. Kelly in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/man-stabbed-in-face-after-being-pinned-to-ground-in-premeditated-attack-in-dublin-court-hears-1809346.html
