A MAN accused of knife and assault charges in Limerick earlier this month had his bail application refused this week.
Chinonso Igboanusi (28), of no fixed abode, appeared before Limerick District Court on today (Tuesday, February 20), charged with two counts of possession of a knife, in which he was allegedly observed exposing the knife in public places, and one count of assault on a female on February 9.
All the charges relate to three separate alleged incidents in Limerick City and the Corbally area.
Appearing before Judge Carol Anne Coolican this afternoon, Mr Igboanusi made an application for bail through his solicitor, Sarah Ryan, telling Judge Coolican that he “deserves a second chance”.
Garda Brian Kelly took the stand and gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution of Mr Igboanusi.
Garda Kelly stated that on February 9, Mr Igboanusi was observed by members of the public in Colbert Station with a Swiss Army knife with the blade exposed.
The accused then made his way out of the city centre, allegedly kicking a girl in the back on Athlunkard Street, before proceeding in the Corbally direction.
Later that same day, the Garda said, Mr Igboanusi was seen in the Corbally area wearing a black balaclava and in possession of an open Stanley knife while walking in the direction of Shannon Banks.
Mr Igboanusi was apprehended by Gardaí at a supermarket in Westbury Shopping Centre and made admissions to Gardaí of possessing the knives and a black ski mask, the witness told the court.
The accused told investigating Gardaí that he had the knives for his own protection.
The state objected to bail on the grounds that Mr Igboanusi is facing serious charges, and that they believe he will continue to re-offend while on bail.
Garda Kelly stated in court that Mr Igboanusi told Gardaí that he would buy more knives if he was released on bail.
Garda Kelly also told the court that Gardaí in Cork had visited an address in the city that Mr Igboanusi gave as a possible address, but were told that he was not welcome at this address.
The court heard that he is currently of no fixed abode in Dublin, but that he had previously resided in a hostel in Tralee, as well as multiple homeless hostels in Cork, and had his own address in Cork for a number of years before moving to Dublin.
When asked by solicitor Sarah Ryan why he should be granted bail, Mr Igboanusi said: “I deserve a second chance. I’m not a troublemaker. I try my best. I mind my own business. I did something wrong, I own up to it”.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear again on March 5.
