TWO Limerick men have been charged in connection with a stabbing and serious assault that left a man in his 20s with a serious laceration to his back and several to his hands. 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 and remanded in custody after Judge Tom O’Donnell heard evidence in the matter.
The bail application of Thomas O’Neill came after he was arrested, charged and cautioned by Detective Garda Pat Whelan in Roscrea.
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 also charged with Assault Causing Harm and possession of a knife used to inflict injury.
The State, through the evidence of the gardai, objected to bail for both, noting the serious nature of the charges before the court, and that it was the belief of the gardai that “threats could be made good” if the two were granted bail.
Garda Laide said that a new dispute emerged in the Ballinacurra Weston area, and in a fresh development, several people were involved in serious crime.
He added that he feared further serious acts of violence could be committed.
He also noted to the court that a potential key witness to the case had fled the courthouse as he was in fear for his life.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said that he “rarely commented on issues” but that it was a serious concern of his as to the risk of witness intimidation in this case given the alleged incidents where a potential witness is said to have fled the court.
He also said that he found it “very disturbing” that certain family members connected with the accused men were “in possession of key garda information”.
Both men were remanded in custody and ordered to appear before the court, via video link, on January 13.
