An off-duty Dublin bus driver was “seriously” assaulted in a “completely unprovoked” attack in “broad daylight” by a homeless Romanian man who has been in Ireland for 3 months, in which time he has accrued 11 criminal charges and one bench warrant.
Garda Katherine Ward gave evidence of how Ionut Christian Bariz (37), of no fixed abode, is accused of assaulting Derek Farrell (63) on the 19th of August last on Beresford Place Dublin 1 in “broad daylight” at approximately 2pm.
The accused, who was aided by a Romanian interpreter, allegedly approached the injured party from behind before striking him in the back of the head with a “12 inch metal article” before punching him in the back of the head causing him to fall to the ground.
The alleged assault was witnessed by Gardaí, who were on patrol in the area, with Garda Ward commenting on the “level of aggression and violence displayed”.
She described how the Gardaí left their vehicle and rushed to the aid of Mr. Farrell, and how it was “only good fortune” that they were on the scene at the time.
Bariz, who spoke continually in Romanian through the hearing, is charged with Assault Causing Harm contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and Production of a metal implement contrary to Section 9.5 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
The alleged assault, which took place in a “highly populated area” and “in full view of the public” was “completely unprovoked”, in circumstances where the accused admitted that the injured party was “unknown to him”, the court heard.
Bariz came to Ireland 3 months ago, in which time he has accrued 11 criminal charges including possession of knives and other articles and possession of articles with intent to cause serious injury, with further charges likely to be brought.
After the accused was arrested Gardaí say he was deemed fit to be interviewed and “made full admissions”.
Garda Ward told the court that Bariz has no previous convictions in Ireland, which Gardaí “firmly believe” is only due to the short time he has been here.
Objecting to his bail application, Garda Ward said that Bariz had “no regard for the safety of the public”, that he is at “serious risk of causing another member of the public serious harm”, and that he had been “caught red handed”.
She also made the case that the accused is a “serious flight risk” and that he indicated to Gardaí that it was his intention to leave the country.
Defending Bariz, Mr. Eoin Lysaght said that his client had no means of leaving the country as he had no access to social welfare and that he was willing to sign on daily.
He argued that his client had been under the impression that if he made admission to the assault, he would be released on bail, however Garda Ward strongly denied his ever having been told so.
Refusing bail, Judge John Brennan said that what had allegedly taken place was “quite a vicious assault in the middle of the day on a crowded street” and that the court was not satisfied that the accused would present himself for his next court appearance
He remanded the accused in custody in order to “prevent the commission of further serious offences.”