Bail denied to alleged knife attacker in Clare town

A JUDGE has refused bail for a Clare man charged in connection with an alleged knife attack in Kilrush.

Anthony Sweeney (29), with an address at Saint Patrick’s Terrace, Kilrush appeared before Ennis District Court, charged with two offences arising from an alleged violent incident at Crawford Street, Kilrush on May 28, 2022. 

Sweeney is accused of assault causing harm to Michael Kelly, contrary to section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act. 

Sweeney is further charged that during the course of an offence, he produced a knife capable of inflicting serious injury, contrary to section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons  Act. 

Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court that a file had been forwarded to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the matter is to proceed on indictment to the circuit criminal court.

Garda Patrick Hanley told the court he arrested Sweeney on December 1 and later charged him with the two offences before the court.

The court heard Sweeney replied “no comment” to the charges under caution. 

Defence solicitor Monica Roche said she had no questions regarding the arrest, charge and caution of her client.

Ms Roche was granted legal aid  to represent the accused and said she was applying for bail on her client’s behalf. 

Sergeant Lonergan said there was an objection to bail and the State was seeking to have the accused remanded in custody. 

Garda Hanley outlined the grounds for objection to the court and said no conditions attached would allay his concerns should the accused be granted bail in this case.

“We have strong concerns should he be granted bail “ the garda added.

Ms Roche said the alleged incident that is the subject of the charges against her client happened in May and nothing has happened since. 

She said her client is related to the alleged victim who lives in Miltown Malbay, 17 miles away from Kilrush. 

Ms Roche said her client lives in Kilrush with his partner and their children. 

She said Mr Sweeney would undertake not to have any contact with the alleged victim, not to travel to Miltown Malbay and is willing to sign on daily at a garda station. 

Judge Mary Larkin said she was not happy, in all circumstances, to grant bail.

Judge Larkin said it was open to the accused to make a bail application in the High Court. 

She remanded the accused in custody to appear again in court on December 7 when the case will be further adjourned. 

Sergeant Lonergan said the state would be seeking a further adjournment on that date to allow time for service of the book of evidence.