The public have “concerns” regarding their safety in the wake of the Stoneybatter attack, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this afternoon, Donohoe – who represents the Stoneybatter area as a Dublin Central TD – said he met with residents of the locality on Monday, the day following the attack.
“I met residents in Stoneybatter yesterday, and uppermost in my minds at the moment are firstly, those who were so badly wounded by this terrible attack took place,” he said.
“And then secondly, the incredible response of An Garda Síochana and the speed with which they did it.”
The Minister said that the incident “continues to underline the concerns that people have”.
“And I know those concerns are there regarding how they feel safe, which is why the efforts that we have underway with regard to the recruitment and retention of An Garda Síochana is so important,” he said, adding: “I know Minister O’Callahan has fully committed to doing that.”
As of Monday this week a 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with a “random” knife attack in the Stoneybatter area of Dublin over the weekend, which left 3 men hospitalised. Two of the men were badly, though not fatally injured, while a third suffered more superficial wounds.
Suspect Gabriel Fereira Motta Valladeres, originally from Brazil and understood to be homeless, has been accused of four offences, including two counts of assault causing harm, and possession of a box-cutter and pair of scissors under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
When the charges were initially put to the suspect, he replied “no comment”, to the first charge. To the second charge, he said “I was afraid to be killed”.
He reportedly cried throughout his appearance in court.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that during the incident an individual “went along the streets – the three locations were Oxmantown Road, Carnew Street and Niall Street and the three men who were attacked were just, unfortunately, in a position where the person was passing by at the time and it was horrific for them.”
He added that people in Dublin were very frightened since the attack.
“Obviously the people of the community and throughout Dublin are very scared about this because they’re just wondering is this something that could happen to them. They’re walking around their neighbourhoods.”
He added: “I think it is important to emphasise that although it’s not unprecedented, attacks like this are highly unusual.”