Man accused of St Patrick's Day assault in Limerick had been stabbed by victim, court hears

A LIMERICK man has appeared in court this Thursday accused of assaulting another man on St Patrick’s Day by allegedly stamping on his head as he lay unconscious on a city street.

The court heard that the defendant - Darren Mason, aged 22, of St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick city told gardai that the victim stabbed him first.

Mr Mason told gardai he was acting in “self-defence” on the night, Limerick District Court heard.

Mr Mason was charged with assault causing harm to Liam Higgins, aged 55, at Athlunkard Street, Limerick city.

Mr Mason, originally from Rhebogue, Limerick city and living in Grove Island, Corbally, was also charged with violent disorder and with producing an article, namely a traffic bollard, capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of a dispute. All the charges relate to the night of Tuesday, March 17.

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Detective Garda Aoife Keane, of Mayorstone garda station, opposed a bail application on behalf of Mr Mason.

She told the court that in interviews with gardai following his arrest, Mr Mason “identified himself” in CCTV footage of the alleged attack, located outside Radcliffe’s Pub, Athlunkard Street.

Det Garda Keane alleged that the CCTV footage shows Mr Mason initially approached from behind by Mr Higgins, who was not known to him, and Mr Higgins, who was allegedly armed with two knives, stabbing Mr Mason.

Det Garda Keane further alleged the footage also showed Mr Higgins throwing a traffic bollard in the direction of Mr Mason as Mr Mason and others approached him on the street.

The detective garda alleged the footage shows Mr Mason and others throwing traffic bollards in the direction of Mr Higgins.

CCTV footage, which was played in court, shows an unidentified male throwing a traffic bollard at Mr Higgins, striking him on his head and knocking him to the ground.

Another unidentified male is then seen on the footage kicking Mr Higgins into his head as he lay on the ground motionless.

The footage then showed a man identified as Mr Mason allegedly stamping his foot on Mr Higgins’ head as Mr Higgins remained motionless on the street.

Another unidentified male is also then seen on the footage slamming a traffic bollard onto Mr Higgins’ head.

Det Garda Keane said a number of other persons were being sought by gardai for questioning about the events.

The detective agreed with Mr Mason’s solicitor, John Herbert, that Mr Higgins is identified on CCTV footage allegedly initially stabbing Mr Mason.

Det Garda Keane agreed with Mr Herbert that Mr Mason told gardai, following his arrest, that Mr Higgins, who he did not know, was “taunting” him prior to Mr Higgins stabbing him.

Det Garda Keane said Mr Mason received stitches in hospital afterwards for two stab wounds, as well as a slash wound to one of his arms.

Mr Herbert said the accused has worked as a blocklayer, and has a partner and two young children.

Mr Herbert argued that Mr Higgins was “responsible for the beginning” of the alleged events on the night “not Mr Mason”.

Inspector Liam Wallace, prosecuting on behalf of the State, said he accepted that while Mr Higgins may have initially posed a threat to Mr Mason, he posed “no risk” to the accused or anyone else while his head allegedly was being stamped on as he lay unconscious on the street after being struck by a bollard.

Det Garda Keane objected to bail and told the court it was her belief that Mr Mason would commit offences while on bail, not abide by any bail conditions, and intimidate witnesses.

Det Garda Keane said the CCTV footage from the night was of “excellent quality”.

Judge Patricia Harney said Mr Mason was, like all accused persons before a court, entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

The judge said she was satisfied having heard the evidence of Det Garda Keane, to refuse bail.

The judge remanded Mr Mason in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again on March 24 for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.