A detective has told how a man almost died after he was allegedly viciously attacked by two other men who robbed him of just €4.
The victim was allegedly set upon by the pair in the carpark of a local supermarket in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Saturday night last.
The man, a 53-year-old who was described as ‘vulnerable” and in the care of the HSE, was allegedly assaulted in the carpark of Simpson’s Supermarket at Circular Road.
Following an investigation by Gardai, two men, Patrick Sweeney, and Stephen Scott, aged 24, appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court today.
Garda Detective Joseph Kealy said he was objecting to bail in the case of Scott.
Detective Kealy said he was objecting to bail because of the seriousness of the case and he felt that Scott, of 35 Meadowbank, Letterkenny, is a flight risk and may flee the jurisdiction.
He told Judge Paul Kelly that both the victim and the accused lived close to eachother and he feared they would meet while using the same laneways.
He added that both used the same shops and the local Glencar Inn and he feared they could also meet there and that the victim could be intimidated by the accused.
“This man was severely assaulted, he was punched, kicked and stamped upon. This is a serious offence of robbery where a vulnerable 53-year-old man was severely assaulted and robbed for €4.
“I feel if they met on the road that he would intimidate the injured party,” said Detective Kealy.
He added that the result of the alleged attack could have had much worse consequences for the allegee victim.
“I think we’re very fortunate that the injured party didn’t receive fatal injuries,” added Detective Kealy.
Garda Inspector Goretti Sheridan told the court that a file is to be sent to the Director fo PUblic Prosecutions in the case and that further more serious charges are expected.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was pleading not guilty to the charges and said that if Scott was directed to stay away from the area that the two men would not meet.
However, Judge Paul Kelly refused bail on the basis of the matter of probability the accused would evade justice and not turn up for trial and that he may also interfere with witnesses.
He remanded Scott in custody to appear by videolink on Monday, Novermber 6th.
The second accused in the case, Patrick Sweeney of Glencar Park, Letterkenny, aged ??, did not apply for bail and was also remanded in custody to appear by videolink on November 6th.