Man remanded over hammer attack

A 39-year old appeared in court in Dublin this morning on charges relating to a serious assault on his wife at their home in …

A 39-year old appeared in court in Dublin this morning on charges relating to a serious assault on his wife at their home in Mulhuddart, west Dublin earlier this week.

Polish national Joanna Benko (32), sustained serious head injuries after she was attacked with a hammer. Her three-year-old son was in the house on Ladyswell Road when the attack occurred.

Ms Benko was discovered at her home on Monday morning after the attack was reported to gardaí. She was rushed to  Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown but was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where she remains in a critical but stable condition.

Appearing at Blanchardstown District Court this morning, Andrez Benko (39) of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart, was charged with assaulting his wife.

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Detective Patrick Traynor gave evidence of the arrest and charge of Mr Benko and said he had no objection to bail being granted.

Judge Patrick Madden remanded him in custody with consent to bail to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday next. As part of his bail conditions, Mr Benko was ordered to lodge €2,000 in cash, surrender his passport and to undertake not apply for a new one. He also agreed to reside at the couple's home on Ladyswell Road and to give gardaí 24 hours' notice if he intended to change address.

Mr Benko was also instructed to sign on once at week at Blanchardstown Garda station and to have no contact with his wife.

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor is a former Irish Times business journalist