This week in crime saw cases related to violent assault, and €10,000 worth of criminal damage done to a car, while there were missing flower baskets in Cork and charges of social welfare fraud in Donegal.
Two men who allegedly took part in a “premeditated” attack in which a woman was stabbed four times in the groin area were released on bail this week after being brought before Judge Treasa Kelly in relation to the incident which is alleged to have taken place on the 6th of March.
It was reported that that Gary Brazil (44) of Upper Gardiner Street and Bobby Griffin (20) of Captain’s Avenue, Crumlin, were charged in relation to the alleged assault in which the female victim is alleged to have been attacked by a group of men at a flats complex in Dublin.
The pair were granted bail despite Garda objections where it was alleged that Griffin had sent a message via Snapchat saying the woman would be “getting butchered on them stairs.”
Gardaí also informed Judge Kelly that they feared that there would be further violence in the Dublin 8 area if the pair were bailed and that the victim who, despite being discharged from hospital, is still experiencing mobility issues, has been “intimidated” since the alleged incident.
A date is to be fixed for the trial of a 45-year-old woman after Apple tracking devices allegedly led locals in Cork to missing hanging baskets, the Irish Mirror reported.
Anne O’Driscoll was brought before Judge Mary Dorgan in relation to the alleged theft of six hanging baskets which went missing between the 29th and 31st of May, 2023,
The combined value of the baskets and the flowers they contained which were stolen from Inch, Killeagh, Co Cork is €180.
The court heard that after a similar incident of disappearing flower baskets happened in 2022 members of the local community had purchased a number of Apple trackers and placed them inside the baskets.
Garda Sergeant Pat Lyons said that Gardaí had obtained a search warrant and had discovered the missing flower baskets at O’Driscoll’s address.
The hearing of the case was set for the 21st of May next.
Ali Tariq, who has an address at Apt. 18 Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Donegal appeared before the courts this week in relation to charges of social welfare fraud.
Donegal Daily reported that Tariq ”faces 75 charges that he did dishonestly by deception induce the Department of Social Protection to do an act to wit process a claim for jobseekers allowance in the name of Usman Zaib Khichee in the amount of €140 with the intention of making gain for yourself and causing loss to another.”
He further faces 5 charges that he engaged in converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using the social welfare that was paid to him in the name of Usman Zaib Khiche.
Donegal news reported that the charges relate to dates between September 2, 2013 and November 4, 2014 and are Contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
A book of evidence was served on Tariq, who was released on continuing bail, with the case listed for hearing with the case to commence on the 23rd of April before Letterkenny Circuit Court.
A Dublin pensioner who caused €10,000 worth of damage to a man’s car after a row about flowerpots was given a suspended sentence.
Appearing before Judge Martin Nolan at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, Bernadette Murphy (67), of Greenore Court, Dublin 2 pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage which took place on the 24th of May last year.
The court heard that the row erupted between Murphy and another woman over flower pots and a garden area where Murphy attacked the car of the woman’s father and was caught on CCTV lifting a hammer and smashing it down on the roof, bonnet, and sides of the vehicle.
Calling the case “unusual” Judge Nolan asked if Murphy – who attended the court with a walking aid – usually had a hammer on her person before imposing an 18-month prison sentence which he then suspended.
Murphy, who has no previous conviction, brought €600 to court for the victim as a token of remorse. The court heard that the man had paid €250 to have his car fixed but that his insurance has covered the substantive amount of the repairs.