A 22-year old accused of assaulting another man on St Patrick’s Day by allegedly stamping on his head as he lay unconscious on a street, told gardai the victim stabbed him first, a court heard Thursday.
Darren Mason (22), St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, told gardai he was acting in “self-defence” on the night, Limerick District Court heard.
Mr Mason was charged in court with assault causing harm to Liam Higgins, (55), at Athlunkard Street, Limerick City, on last Tuesday, March 17.
Mr Mason, originally from Rhebogue, Limerick, and living in Grove Island, Corbally, was also charged with violent disorder and with producing an article, namely a traffic bollard, capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute, at the same location on the same date.
Opposing bail, Detective Garda Aoife Keane, Mayorstone Station, told the court that in interviews with gardai following his arrest, Mr Mason “identified himself” in CCTV footage of the alleged attack, on Athlunkard Street, on the night.
Detective Garda Keane said the CCTV footage shows Mr Mason initially approached from behind by Mr Higgins, who was not known to him and Mr Higgins, who was allegedly armed with two knives, stabbing Mr Mason.
Detective Garda Keane said the footage also showed Mr Higgins throwing a traffic bollard in the direction of Mr Mason as Mr Mason and others approach him on the street.
The garda witness said the footage shows Mr Mason and others throwing traffic bollards in the direction of Mr Higgins.
The CCTV footage, which was played in court, shows an unidentified man throwing a traffic bollard at Mr Higgins, striking him on his head and knocking him to the ground.
Another unidentified male is then seen on the footage kicking Mr Higgins into his head as he lays on the ground motionless.
The footage then showed a man identified as Mr Mason stamping his foot on Mr Higgins’ head as Mr Higgins remains motionless on the street.
Another unidentified man is also then seen on the footage slamming a traffic bollard onto Mr Higgins’ head.
The footage then allegedly shows Mr Mason approaching Mr Higgins, who remains motionless, and leaning down towards him before being led away by two women.
Detective Garda Keane said a number of other persons were being sought by gardai for questioning about the events.
Detective Garda Keane agreed with Mr Mason’s solicitor, John Herbert, that Mr Higgins is identified on the CCTV footage allegedly stabbing Mr Mason initially.
Detective Garda Keane agreed with Mr Herbert that Mr Mason told Gardai following his arrest that Mr Higgins, who he did not know, was “taunting” him prior to stabbing him.
Detective Garda Keane said Mr Mason received stitches in hospital afterwards for two stab wounds, as well as a slash wound to one of his arms.
Mr Herbert said the accused has worked as a block-layer and has a partner and two young children.
Mr Herbert argued that Mr Higgins was “responsible for the beginning” of the alleged events on the night “not Mr Mason”.
Prosecuting Inspector Liam Wallace said he accepted that while Mr Higgins may have initially posed a threat to Mr Mason, he posed “no risk” to the accused or anyone else while his head was being stamped on as he lay unconscious on the street after being struck by a bollard.
Detective Garda Keane objected to bail and told the court it was her belief that Mr Mason would commit offences while on bail, not abide by any bail conditions, and intimidate witnesses.
Detective Keane said the CCTV footage from the night was of “excellent quality”.
Judge Patricia Harney said Mr Mason was, like all accused persons before a court, entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
The judge said she was satisfied having heard the evidence of Detective Keane, to refuse bail.
The judge remanded Mr Mason in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again on March 24, for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
As Mr Mason was appearing in court gardai arrested two men as part of the ongoing investigation.
The two suspects, aged in their 20s, were being questioned at an undisclosed Garda station in Limerick on Thursday evening.