No bail for man accused of 'savage' knife attack on partner and daughter
Detective Garda Eoghain O’Callaghan objected to bail being granted to the 42-year-old who has no previous convictions, but is addicted to cocaine. File picture: iStock
A woman sustained 15 stab and defensive wounds and a fractured cheekbone in a knife attack by her partner who also stabbed their adult daughter in the breast at their home in Cork city in the early hours of Saturday morning, it was alleged by gardaí who expressed concern that he would interfere with the victims if granted bail.
Detective Garda Eoghain O’Callaghan objected to bail being granted to the 42-year-old who has no previous convictions, but is addicted to cocaine.
The alleged incident that gave rise to the two 'assault causing harm' charges occurred at around 2am on Saturday, September 5. Since this time, an interim barring order has been granted, requiring the defendant to stay away from the family home. Parties to such orders cannot be identified.
As soon as Det Garda O’Callaghan told Judge David Waters of the extent of the injuries, the judge said: “I formally refuse jurisdiction. It is clear that the penalties of the district court would not be sufficient if he was found guilty. It is a serious matter. This appears to be a savage and serious assault on two innocent parties.”
Det Garda O’Callaghan said.
The accused man applied for bail, saying that he wanted to be admitted to a psychiatric facility and that he wanted to undergo residential treatment for his cocaine addiction, which he has had for the past two years.
Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said he could not represent the accused because of the free legal aid dispute.
The 42-year-old made his own application for bail saying: “I have no recollection of the event that Friday night. They are the love of my life. I would never harm anyone. I never harmed anyone in my life. I am a hardworking man. I made an attempt to end my life.
Sergeant Aisling Murphy said that in terms of mental health treatment, or a residential drug treatment programme, it wasn’t as simple as turning up on the doorstep and being admitted.
“I need to fix my life before I can fix anything else. If you give me six hours to do so, I will get another address… I am fighting a losing battle with the drugs. I will never again use them. I am not a bad person. I have no recollection of the night. I never ever harmed or even raised my voice to the kids.”
Judge Waters said: “You have not expressed one iota of concern for your family.”
The accused said, “I love them to bits. They are my whole life. I would really like to apologise for my actions.”
He said that he would abide by the conditions of the interim barring order and stay away from his family if granted bail.
Judge Waters said he would refuse bail for now but that the application could be revisited on Thursday, September 10.
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