Dublin Bus driver (63) beaten with metal object in random daylight attack, court told
Tom Tuite
A Dublin Bus driver was beaten on the back of the head with punches and a metal object during a "random and unprovoked" daylight street attack in the capital, a court has heard.
Romanian national Ionut Christian Biraz (39), of no fixed address, who arrived in Ireland three months ago, was charged with assault causing harm to the 63-year-old driver at Beresford Place in the city centre and production of a weapon during the incident at about 2pm on Tuesday.
He appeared before Judge Brennan at Dublin District Court on Wednesday and was refused bail.
Garda Katherine Ward cited flight risk and Mr Biraz's lack of ties to the State, the seriousness of the case and fears for public safety.
She alleged that Mr Biraz used a metal implement and attacked the driver in a random and unprovoked manner for no reason.
She said the Dublin Bus driver had been walking home after his shift and was "struck in the back of the head with a metal article, 12 inches in length, from behind".
The contested bail hearing was told that before the victim "registered what occurred, he punched him again to the back of his head from behind, which caused him to fall to the ground."
The court heard that there were several people on the street at the time, and the officer said that it was fortunate that gardaí were in the immediate area.
Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions have to be obtained, and an additional charge could be brought, the court heard. It will be recommended that the case proceed to the Circuit Court, which can impose lengthier sentences.
Garda Ward cited the level of aggression and violence used, adding that gardai had to use pepper spray to arrest him.
The garda said the driver suffered swelling to his head and neck and significant emotional distress and was "quite shook up" afterwards. The article used to strike him has also been seized.
She agreed with defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght that Mr Biraz had the presumption of innocence and, about comments he made in his interview, English was not his first language. However, she informed the judge that an interpreter was present.
In response to the garda's belief that the accused was planning to leave the country, Mr Lysaght said his client had no means after losing his job due to having no PPS number.
Judge Brennan did not accept that he was a flight risk but refused bail on the other grounds.
Mr Biraz, who listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, was granted legal aid, and the judge also directed he gets medical attention in custody. He will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
