Man (23) accused of stabbing a Garda remanded in custody

Tom Tuite

A 23-year-old man accused of stabbing a Garda on a Dublin street in July has been remanded in continuing custody for another two weeks pending the Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) directions.

Abdullah Khan, with an address in north Dublin, appeared at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday for his fourth hearing since being charged and has not yet applied for bail.

Mr Khan, with an address in north Dublin that cannot be revealed due to a court order, was arrested at the scene following an incident at around 6 pm on Capel Street in the city's north side on July 29th.

The accused appeared before Judge Peter White via video link.

Court sergeant Olwyn Murphy informed the judge that the DPP's directions remain outstanding, and she said the State needed "further time".

Defence solicitor Matthew de Courcy said there was consent, but he wished to take instructions from Mr Khan.

Asked to confirm his identity, the accused, dressed in a grey tracksuit, spoke up to say his name.

There was no application for bail.

His solicitor advised him about the position regarding formal directions from the DPP. Mr Khan was told he needed to choose whether he wished for a two-week adjournment or would give consent to the case going back four weeks.

"Two weeks," he replied. Judge White noted the response and remanded him in continuing custody to appear again on October 1 next.

Mr Khan answered, “Thank you”, and left the prison video link room.

The injured garda, a young probationary member of the force who was on high-visibility patrol with a colleague, received hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Mr Khan is charged with assault causing harm to the officer and the production of a Tactix knife capable of causing serious injury.

He has yet to indicate a plea to the charges, which are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

At the first court appearance on July 31, the defence secured a reporting restriction on the publication of Mr Khan's full address, due to "concerns around safety", which was confirmed by Detective Sergeant McLaughlin.

The detective sergeant had also said Mr Khan "made no reply" to each charge.

At that hearing, medical attention in custody was also ordered, and legal aid was granted.

The defence must give gardaí 24 hours' notice if the accused intends to make a bail application.

On Wednesday, Judge White said the reporting restriction imposed earlier was still in place.