A 44-year-old man has been accused of repeatedly stabbing a man in the face, leaving “life-changing slash wounds”, during an incident on Dublin’s Talbot Street.
James Byrne, residing at a hostel, Kinlay House, Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, was charged with assaulting the complainant, 25, on November 7th but “strongly denied” the allegation, Judge Gerard Jones heard.
Detective Garda John Tansey told Dublin District Court that the injured party was approached by the accused, who was with another person. There was an altercation, and he received “serious slash wounds to the face” and spent several days in the Mater Hospital.
The offence on conviction can carry a 10-year sentence.
Mr Byrne has been refused bail.
Questioned by Judge Jones, the detective said the injured man maintained he and Mr Byrne were not known to each other, which was not accepted by the defence.
CCTV
He added that CCTV from the area had been obtained. The altercation allegedly commenced nearby, and the man was chased onto Talbot Street, where he “stumbled onto the ground”.
It was claimed that “he was subjected to kicks and punches to the face and head”.
Detective Tansey accused Mr Byrne of making a series of jabs with a sharply pointed implement, and the man suffered “life-changing slash wounds to his head and face”.
Clothes were recovered from the defendant’s accommodation on Monday.
Questioned by defence solicitor Jenny McGeever, the detective agreed there were a number of people in the area but added that he was attacked by two.
The contested bail hearing was told he denied having the implement, and the Garda said he had provided his account during an interview, stating, “he had an interaction with the injured party but denied inflicting the injuries”.
He also said it was an ongoing investigation.
The defence solicitor pleaded for bail, saying that her client had lived at his current address for 18 months and that nothing found by gardaí would implicate him. She argued that the seriousness of the charge was not a reason to deny her client’s application.
Judge Jones remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next week.
