Man charged in Kerry over alleged stabbing at Killarney asylum centre
The KerrymanA judge has granted bail to a man charged with stabbing a co-resident at a Killarney centre for asylum-seekers.
The man appeared at Tralee District Court yesterday charged with assault causing harm.
He is alleged to have stabbed a co-resident on the back of their upper right thigh on Tuesday, November 25, at the centre for people seeking international protection.
His solicitor, Brendan Ahern, agreed there was an altercation but said his client denied stabbing the other man.
The State objected to bail, raising concerns that the accused was a flight risk with “no ties to the locality” and “extremely unlikely to come to court”.
Garda Jason Sheehan testified that evidence in the case included CCTV footage, eyewitness testimony and admissions made in custody.
The court heard the accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, left his home country in 2015 and came to Ireland in 2022. He had lived in a number of other European countries prior to his arrival in the State.
The court heard he had applied for asylum in multiple countries, as confirmed by his statements and garda inquiries.
“There’s a possibility, still being investigated at the moment, that there’s an alias that was used,” Gda Sheehan told the court.
When Judge David Waters asked about the nature of the alleged physical injury to determine jurisdiction, Sergeant Detective Chris Manton described it as “a puncture wound to the rear of the upper right thigh”.
The State alleged he used an implement but Mr Ahern questioned this, noting the investigation was ongoing and that witnesses had not seen an implement used.
“My client has denied a stabbing incident, judge, in interviews last night,” said Mr Ahern.
In cross examination by the solicitor, Gda Sheehan confirmed nothing has yet been analysed by forensic analysis. He also said that CCTV covered residence halls but not bedrooms and no knife or weapon had been recorded on CCTV.
Mr Ahern noted his client could face a long detainment while the case proceeded. He added that his client’s ties to Ireland included an asylum application and employment in Killarney.
The garda observed, however, that the accused had applied for asylum in other countries and had subsequently moved.
He had not been away of his recent employment, he said.
The judge adjourned the case until January 3, when he will decide jurisdiction.