DPP decision awaited for extra charge over attack on Canadian tourist who died after assault

Tom Tuite

A man accused of delivering a "running kick" to the head of a Canadian tourist on Dublin's O'Connell Street, who later died, has yet to learn if he will face a "more serious charge".

Judge Alan Mitchell adjourned Ionut Danca's case for two weeks with "pressure on" the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide.

Mr Danca, 24, a Romanian construction worker with an address at Rathdown Square, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, was accused of assault causing harm to Neno Dolmajian in the early hours of June 23rd.

He was denied bail on June 28th at Dublin District Court.

Mr Dolmajian, who was from Montreal, single and in his 40s, was brought to the Mater Hospital "unresponsive", never regained consciousness and on July 2nd, he passed away.

Mr Danca appeared again at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday when Judge Alan Mitchell noted that gardaí had still not received the DPP's directions. He noted the change of circumstances since the first court hearing and that the injured party had since died.

Judge Mitchell said he could only deal with the charge before the court and granted a two-week, rather than four-week, adjournment "to keep pressure on for directions".

Mr Danca, who spoke only to confirm his name and say he could understand, listened to the proceedings with the aid of a translator.

Judge Mitchell remanded him in continuing custody to appear on September 10.

The accused has deferred a High Court bail application.

At his earlier District Court bail hearing, Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne said the accused was allegedly with a group at Cathal Brugha Street when the injured party approached and engaged in conversation.

It was claimed a member of the group struck him, and they moved on to O'Connell Street, where there was another interaction with the injured party.

Some "became hostile", while others tried to intervene.

The tourist walked toward the quays but was allegedly knocked on the ground and received a "running kick". The detective described it as a full-force blow to the face.

CCTV evidence had been obtained, and it was alleged the accused's action caused the tourist's injury.

The court also heard that aware gardaí were looking for him, he left the country for two days. Initially, he booked a flight from Dublin to Bucharest, and officers waited for him at the airport.

But he went to Belfast instead and flew to Edinburgh and then Naples.

According to Detective Sergeant Byrne, gardaí went to his Dublin address, but it was "cleaned out," and there were 10 bags of his belongings. It was claimed that "his girlfriend indicated they intended to leave Ireland permanently and have their stuff shipped to Romania."

The detective sergeant believed Mr Danca had no ties to this jurisdiction and could face additional charges.

He agreed with defence solicitor Evan Moore that the accused had no prior criminal convictions and lived and worked in Ireland for six years and that he came back voluntarily following discussions.

However, that was allegedly after two days of avoiding calls, texts, and emails and efforts to locate him. Another man is also before the courts accused of assaulting Mr Dolmajian.