TWO men charged in connection with a stabbing and a serious assault that left a man in his 20s with a serious laceration to his back and several to his hands, appeared before Limerick District Court again. 20-year-old Mark Barry, with an address at Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, and 22-year-old Thomas O’Neill, originally from Lenihan Avenue, but with an address in Roscrea, were both refused bail at earlier sittings of the District Court and remanded in custody after Judge Tom O’Donnell heard evidence.
Last Thursday, the two were before the court via video link from Limerick Prison and were told the the file was still with the DPP and a book of evidence was not ready in the case of either man.
John Devane, solicitor, told the court that his client, Mark Barry, had his application for bail refused at the High Court and urged that as his “client was incarcerated on the charge”, the DPP would be asked to “expedite matters”.
Sarah Ryan, solicitor, said that the High Court bail application of Thomas O’Neill had been withdrawn in recent days, as it was said that the State would not summon a key witness in the matter.
Judge O’Donnell replied that at any time Thomas O’Neill could “resurrect” his application to the High Court.
He is charged with Assault Causing Harm, possession of a Stanley knife, used to inflict injury.
O’Neill is also charged with threatening to kill a potential witness.
Barry is charged with Assault Causing Harm and possession of a knife used to inflict injury.
The State had objected to bail for both, noting the serious nature of the charges, and that it was the belief of the gardai that “threats could be made good” if the two were granted bail.
Gardai have said that a new dispute had emerged in the Ballinacurra Weston area, and in a fresh development, several people were involved in serious crime. They also added it was feared further serious acts of violence could be committed.
Both men were remanded in custody and ordered to appear before the court, via video link, on February 10 next.
