Bail denied for man accused of stabbing ex-partner's father

Tom Tuite

A 22-year-old man charged with stabbing his ex-partner's father during a knife attack in Dublin has been remanded in custody.

Father-of-three Moise Iorgu, originally from Romania and formerly of Heath Square, Finglas, had just returned to the country before the incident.

He was refused bail by Judge Áine Clancy at Dublin District Court on Monday, after he was charged with assault causing harm.

Detective Garda Ciara O'Sullivan expected further charges to be brought and said that the case would proceed to a higher level on indictment.

Objecting to bail, she alleged the incident happened at a house in Finglas on Sunday.

Gardaí responded to a report and found the accused's former partner in "a distressed state".

The contested bail hearing was told that the woman revealed that the accused stabbed her father in the back with a kitchen knife.

It arose out of a verbal argument over family issues, and the accused had just returned from Romania.

The man did not address the court and listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter.

The court heard the injured man remains in hospital after he received a stab wound to the lower left side of his back.

It was allegedly witnessed by other family members. The detective raised concerns about flight risk and witness interference.

The court also heard that the accused had no fixed address. He allegedly discarded the knife and was found in the vicinity of the incident.

A statement of complaint has been taken from the ex-partner's father.

Defence counsel Kevin McCrave submitted that his client agreed to have no contact with the witnesses, the complainant's family, and to stay away from the area.

The court heard that he could not currently provide an address and needed to contact other relatives for assistance.

However, counsel emphasised that he could provide an alternative address and would remain in the country.

Counsel suggested a range of conditions and stressed that his client had no history of bench warrants in this jurisdiction.

He also pointed out that the case against his client related to a once-off incident, not a series of offences to feed a drug habit, and his client did not have addiction issues.

Closing his bail submissions, the barrister said his client would surrender his passport and travel documents, and would not apply for any duplicates or replacements.

He added that Mr Iorgu would sign on daily at a city-centre garda  station.

He argued that this should provide some succour to the garda and the witnesses, and that the conditions he proposed were a major issue for any parent.

The judge was satisfied that Detective Garda O'Sullivan had established grounds to oppose bail.

Iorgu sat silently throughout the hearing and has yet to indicate a plea. He will appear again later this week at Cloverhill District Court.

Legal aid was granted.