Man's head sliced open in courthouse knife attack

Andrew Phelan

A DUBLIN man has been accused of lacerating another man's head in a blade attack inside the Criminal Courts of Justice.

John McCabe (20) was remanded on continuing bail when he appeared in court on an assault charge following the incident.

He is alleged to have inflicted "significant injuries" on the other man with the four-inch blade in the foyer of the courts complex on Parkgate Street, Dublin.

McCabe, of Cloonlara Road, Finglas, is charged with assault causing harm to Dean Teeling at the Criminal Courts of Justice on April 18, 2011.

He has yet to enter a plea on the charge, which is under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Struck

Dublin District Court heard the DPP was consenting to summary disposal of the case.

A garda witness told Dublin District Court it was alleged that McCabe got into an altercation with the other man and struck him with the blade, inflicting lacerations to the back of his head.

The alleged victim was taken to hospital for treatment and McCabe fled the scene. He was subsequently arrested.

Judge Grainne Malone accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case at District Court level.

This means that it will not be sent for trial by judge and jury to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Malone granted an order for disclosure of prosecution documents to the defence, including statements and any CCTV footage.

Parents

She granted bail in the accused's own bond of €500, with no cash lodgment required.

Defence barrister Brian Storan applied for free legal aid to cover the new charge. The defendant was already on legal aid, with solicitor Kelly Breen assigned.

Mr Storan said McCabe's circumstances had not changed since he was granted legal aid previously.

He is currently unemployed but not in receipt of social welfare.

Judge Malone asked how the accused lived if he had no income.

"He lives with his parents, Judge," Mr Storan said.

Judge Malone deferred the issue of legal aid and said Mr McCabe should first file a statement of his financial means to the court.

The accused signed a bail bond before leaving the court.

aphelan@herald.ie