A builder of Romanian descent, Ionut Danca (24), is under suspicion of delivering a violent kick to a Canadian traveller, leaving him in a state of unconsciousness. The incident took place on Dublin’s famous O’Connell Street. Hailing from Rathdown Square, North Circular Road, Dublin 7, Danca is charged with causing bodily harm to Neno Dolmajian on June 23rd early morning.
Danca was presented before Judge Bryan Smyth at the Dublin District Court on a recent Friday. The judge deemed him a potential flight risk denying him the bail. Dolmajian, a single man in his 40s from Montreal, remains comatose and was shifted to the Mater Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Dolmajian’s sister and father arrived from Canada to observe Danca’s bail hearing. Detective Sergeant Eoghan Byrne informed Judge Smyth that Danca, accompanied by a group at Cathal Brugha Street, was allegedly accosted by the victim. However, the situation escalated, and the group eventually moved to O’Connell Street.
Some members of the group allegedly became aggressive and assaulted Dolmajian with a brutal running kick to the face. His injuries were so severe that he went unconscious. Police have obtained CCTV footage alleging that Danca was responsible for Dolmajian’s injuries.
Furthermore, it was reported that upon suspecting the police were surveilling him, Danca fled the country for two days. He initially intended to fly from Dublin to Bucharest, but decided to escape to Belfast, then Edinburgh and Naples.
When the police visited Danca’s Dublin residence it was entirely empty with ten sacks of his possessions left behind. The police also discovered that Danca’s girlfriend allegedly planned to permanently move out of Ireland and was about to ship their belongings to Romania. Detective Sergeant Byrne underscored the possibility of Danca facing more charges for his actions in Ireland.
In a court case where Mr Danca is the accused, defence lawyer Evan Moore has highlighted that Mr Danca has a clean record with no prior criminal history. Mr Danca has been a resident and employee in Ireland for half a dozen years. After negotiations, Mr Danca voluntarily returned to the country, though this occurred two days following his evasion of attempts to contact him via calls, digital messages, and electronic mails.
However, Detective Sergeant Byrne raised concerns about the potential for Mr Danca not appearing in court if bail is granted. According to Byrne, Mr Danca might avoid future court appearances now that he understands the grave state of the tourist involved, which wasn’t evident when he originally came back.
Judge Smyth has decided to hold Mr Danca in detention until he appears at Cloverhill District Court on the fifth of July, awaiting instructions from the DPP. Mr Danca has not yet entered a plea.
Mr Danca is the second individual involved in the incident who has been brought forward in court. Prior to this, Madalin Ghiuzan, 23, a native of Romania now living at Summerhill Parade, Dublin 1, appeared in court charged with causing harm to the tourist through assault. Ghiuzan was denied bail.