Man accused of attacking Luas officer and threatening to kill him faces court

Tom Tuite

A 27-year-old man has been accused of attacking a Luas security officer in Dublin and threatening to kill him two months later.

Dublin District Court heard that the officer asked to check Zakariye Ali's ticket, but he allegedly he did not have one and "punched him in the jaw."

It was claimed Mr Ali told him: "I'm not finished with you yet."

The security guard required stitches inside his mouth. Judge Michele Finan heard that during the second incident, the accused was said to have threatened to kill the security officer, also telling him, "I can find you any time I want".

Mr Ali, with an address on the North Circular Road, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm to the Luas staff members at the tram stop on Lower Abbey Street on November 17th, 2023.

He has an additional charge for making a threat to kill or cause harm to the official at the same location on January 13th last year.

He has been given eight weeks to consider his plea.

Mr Ali appeared before Judge Finan on Tuesday for a ruling on his trial venue.

After hearing an outline of the facts, she accepted jurisdiction, meaning the accused avoided being sent forward to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers.

She granted an order for disclosure of evidence to the defence solicitor, Donal Quigley.

Legal aid was granted after Mr Quigley said his client was unemployed and on social welfare.

He was ordered to return to court in November to enter a plea.