The owner of a vehicle was stabbed 5 times in an alleged “carjacking” incident in Dublin City Centre last Saturday.
Dublin man Brian O’Connor (30), of Gardiner Street Dublin 1 appeared before Dublin District Court charged with assault causing harm, production of an article, and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle on the same date.
At 2:45 am last Saturday a 999 call was made to Gardaí stating that a male had been stabbed outside 3 Dorset Lane, Dublin.
The court heard how the caller stated that a male had been stabbed and that a number of suspects had driven off in the injured party`s car with him inside, towards the general direction of Summerhill.
Garda Mark Callanan told the court that a number of Garda units responded and Gardai from Store Street subsequently located the vehicle on the North Circular Road. The injured party was with his vehicle and had been stabbed “5 times”.
Gardaí on patrol were informed that two suspects had fled up Charles Street Great in the direction of Mountjoy Square. A description was provided as two white males, one wearing a black jacket and one wearing a grey jacket, with one carrying a bag over his shoulder.
Approximately 3 minutes after the subject vehicle had been abandoned, Gardaí from Mountjoy
and Gardai from Store Street located two persons matching the description at the junction of
Gardiner Street and Mountjoy Square.
The men were stopped and searched pursuant to Section 16 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
The court heard that O’Connor allegedly grabbed and attempted to draw a screwdriver from his trouser pocket before a screwdriver, angle grinder, hammer, gloves, and a torch were allegedly found on his person.
The injured party, who the court heard was stabbed with a screw driver” was removed to hospital by ambulance and treated for his injuries. He remained in the Mater overnight.
Just after 3am, Garda Callanan arrested the two males on suspicion of Hijacking, contrary to Section 10 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976. They were brought to Mountjoy Garda Station and subsequently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
The injured party has provided a statement of complaint to An Garda Sfochána in which he said that the males threatened to kill him if he didn’t give them his car.
The man said that he feels “lucky to be alive”, with Garda Callanan telling the court that CCTV from the car captured the accused saying “I’ll stab you to bits” before the victim was allegedly stabbed.
The court heard that the alleged victim is “unable to lift his arms” and did not come to court.
Judge Michele Finan refused bail in respect of the accused.