THE TRIAL OF two men charged with "very seriously" stabbing one garda and assaulting another when they foiled the men's attempt at robbing fellow nationals has opened at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Xiang Cheng (25) and Qian Cheng aka Jian Gong Ten (28), both Chinese nationals of no fixed abode, have pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing Garda David Comer serious harm and to assaulting Garda James Hendrick causing him harm at Main Street, Raheny, Dublin on July 13th, 2005.
The two men have pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and the false imprisonment of Yong Ju Liu, also known as Angela, Ma Xiao Mei known as Doris, and Ting Yu, known as Austin.
Bernard Condon, prosecuting, told the jury that Chinese nationals who came to Ireland often adopt anglicised names for ease of integration and he would refer to various witnesses and victims by their anglicised names to aid clear identification.
Mr Condon said that Doris answered her door on the night of July 13th, 2005, to two Chinese men who asked her a question before going away. She heard further knocks on the door and when she answered, this time a young Chinese man produced a knife and pushed her into the kitchen.
Mr Condon said two other Chinese people in the house, known as Angela and Austin, were taken from their rooms by the raiders and their bank cards demanded. He said another woman in the house was able to get out and alert the Garda.
Mr Condon said when gardaí entered the house, Garda Comer came across a man in a balaclava and following a struggle was "very seriously" stabbed three times. He said it was also alleged that Garda Hendrick was assaulted before the gardaí managed to call for help.
The trial continues before Judge Tony Hunt and a jury of six men and six women.