Afghan man accused of assaulting garda unable to take up bail

An Afghan national who is alleged to have fractured the cheekbone of a Garda during a protest in an immigration office has been unable to take up his bail, a court has heard.

Yusef Hashemi, (36), who has been living in Ireland since 2004, appeared before Limerick District Court on Tuesday, where his solicitor said his client had achieved High Court bail but was unable to meet the terms.

The 36-year-old is charged with assaulting Garda Peter O’Grady on April 25th, 2016 at the Immigration office in Estuary House on Henry Street in Limerick after he demanded that he be deported home.

It is alleged Mr Hashemi told gardaí he hates speaking English, hates Irish people, white people and women, and that he wants to return to Afghanistan because his home in Ireland was burgled four times in a short space of time.

Sgt Tony Miniter previously told the court that the State’s case was supported by medical evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements from the injured party and an independent witness.

It is alleged Mr Hashemi called to the immigration office and was in a very aggressive state and a female member of staff “hit the electronic panic button because she was so much in fear”. He then left.

A number of days later it is further alleged that Mr Hashemi returned to the office and was again aggressive and when asked to leave, he he lashed out and hit Garda O’Grady a number of blows to the face.

Asked why he was at the immigration office, Sgt Miniter told the court Mr Hashemi “wanted the State to pay for him to go home”.

Judge Mary Larkin remanded the accused to appear before the same court again on May 31st.