Man (18) appears in court over hatchet attack on man in his home – The Irish Times

An 18-year-old man was refused bail after appearing in court accused of attacking a man with an axe in his Dublin home, leaving the man with a serious head injury.

Juares Kumbu, of Brookhaven Grove, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning and charged with four offences in connection with an incident at a residential address on 1 September in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Dublin 15.

The youth is charged with assault under the Non-Fatal Offenses Act, in which he injured a 21-year-old man who has since been released from hospital.

It is also alleged that during an argument he displayed an axe in a manner likely to cause serious injury and likely to have an unlawful intimidating effect in the commission of an assault. This offence falls under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

The two remaining charges from the incident were trespassing in a manner likely to cause fear to others and criminal damage to a kitchen window on the property.

The teenager appeared before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

The defendant, represented by attorney Simon Fleming, entered no plea and applied for bail but faced strong objections.

Garda Stewart Gleeson said the accused had “made no reply” to the charges.

Directions still need to be obtained to determine whether the case will be heard in the District Court or transferred to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

Due to the seriousness of the case and fears of witness tampering, the Garda rejected the defendant's request for bail.

It was alleged that the defendant arrived at the house and attacked the man “by striking him on the head with a weapon described as a hatchet.”

Mr Fleming submitted that the officer's concerns could be allayed by strict bail conditions and that his client, who was presumed innocent, would agree to any conditions the court deemed appropriate.

However, Judge Halpin denied the motion and ordered Mr. Kumbu to be remanded in custody and appear in Cloverhill District Court via video link on Tuesday morning.

The defendant was granted legal aid; he was not required to give evidence at the trial.