PHOENIX PARK CONCERT:A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been refused bail after he was accused of repeatedly stabbing a tourist at a Swedish House Mafia concert in Dublin's Phoenix Park on Saturday.
There were a number of assaults – including several stabbings of people in their teens and 20s – at the outdoor show, headlined by the Swedish dance group.
Yesterday morning Raymond Donnan, Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, was charged with a number of offences in connection with the incidents.
Mr Donnan is accused of assault causing harm to Andrew England – a tourist from the Isle of Man who suffered multiple stab wounds – as well as production of a knife in the course of a dispute, violent disorder, breach of the peace and being intoxicated in public at the park on July 7th.
Sgt Shane McCartan told Judge Gráinne Malone at Dublin District Court yesterday that Mr Donnan made no reply in respect of the charges. Sgt McCartan objected to bail, citing “the nature and degree of seriousness of the charges”.
He said Mr England had been at the concert with his girlfriend. It would be alleged he “went to the assistance of an unknown female who had been involved in an altercation”. Mr England (28) was then the victim of an “unprovoked attack”, he added.
Judge Malone was told the concert-goer was stabbed “on five occasions”, causing him to receive four puncture wounds to his side and one to his head.
The tourist suffered damage to his liver and “had to receive stitches to the back of his head and elbow arising out of this attack”.
Sgt McCartan said there was a general melee allegedly involving Mr Donnan and about seven other males in his company, and a bottle was broken over another person’s head. In his objection to bail, Sgt McCartan cited the strength of evidence in the case, adding the incident was witnessed by Mr England’s girlfriend and two gardaí.
The garda said the violent disorder charge carried a sentence of up to 10 years on conviction, while the assault charge can result in a five-year term.
Mr Donnan spoke briefly when granted legal aid and nominated a solicitor to represent him. He has not yet indicated how he will plead to the charges.
Sgt McCartan agreed with defence solicitor Lorraine Stevens that Mr Donnan has lived at his stated address all his life.
The judge heard Mr Donnan’s relatives were prepared to stand bail in the sum of €1,500. She heard the case would probably be sent forward to the Circuit Court and it could be a year before the trial takes place.
She refused bail and remanded Mr Donnan in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.