A married couple in their 40s were left “traumatised” after they were assaulted, stabbed, and subjected to death threats in a violent car hijacking on Dublin’s South Great George’s Street, a court was told, reports Breaking News.
Anthony Cooney, 37, who has no fixed address but has recently been staying in hostel accommodation on Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, faced charges of robbery along with two counts of assault causing harm to the couple, reports Breaking News.
The incident took place on Thursday evening, and bail was refused when he appeared before Judge Brendan Toale at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
Garda Shane McConkey from Kevin Street station strongly opposed bail due to the gravity of the offences, reports Breaking News, and he noted that the couple were too traumatised to attend the bail application, although they have provided statements.
According to the evidence outlined, the couple were sitting in their 2018 Volvo when a man entered the rear seat.
The woman attempted to exit the vehicle but was reportedly ordered, “Get back into the car, or I will kill your husband.”
He then allegedly instructed the husband to drive the car.
The court was informed that the man demanded money and threatened the husband that he would kill his wife, reports Breaking News.
It was alleged he was armed with a metal fork and stabbed the husband multiple times in the left upper arm, before grabbing the woman by the back of the neck and pressing the fork to her throat, while telling the husband, “Keep driving.”
Eventually he directed the husband to stop the car and demanded the keys as the husband “pleaded” for his wife to be released, and the couple succeeded in escaping the vehicle, reports Breaking News.
They boarded a bus and the husband later sought medical treatment.
It was further claimed that the man drove the car out of the city centre and collided with a Mercedes van at the junction of Kylemore Road and Naas Road before fleeing on foot, leaving the Volvo written off.
Gardaà later stopped the accused, who reportedly matched the description given, and he was allegedly found in possession of the car key.
Mr Cooney, dressed in a navy tracksuit and runners, remained silent in court, “made no reply” when the charges were put to him, and has not yet entered a plea, reports Breaking News.
He was remanded in custody to reappear before the court on Thursday for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, with Garda McConkey indicating that additional charges, including false imprisonment, may be pursued.
The court also heard there is CCTV footage available, although the prosecution’s case could face challenges at trial, reports Breaking News.
Defence solicitor Kevin McCrave requested bail with strict conditions and argued that the Garda evidence presented was based on hearsay, reports Breaking News, as neither the couple nor the arresting garda gave evidence at the bail hearing.
He added that the matter is expected to proceed to the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing jurisdiction, and submitted that Mr Cooney, who is entitled to the presumption of innocence, could face a prolonged period on remand before any trial concludes.
Despite these submissions, Judge Toale refused bail and directed that Mr Cooney should receive medical attention while in custody, reports Breaking News.
Legal aid was also granted in the case.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
