Teen in court for hatchet attack

An 18-year-old named Juares Kumbu, resident of Brookhaven Grove in Blanchardstown, Dublin, has been denied bail following his court appearance for allegedly attacking a man with a hatchet. The victim, who was at his Dublin residence at the time, sustained a serious injury to his head.

The incident occurred at a residential property on Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, Dublin 15, on 1st September, resulting in Mr. Kumbu’s arrest in the early morning hours of the following Saturday. He was subsequently presented with four charges related to the skirmish.

Among the accusations levelled against him are an assault causing harm to a 21-year-old man, who has since been discharged from a medical facility, under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Mr. Kumbu is alleged to have brandished a hatchet during the assault, which could potentially cause serious harm, an act penalised under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Furthermore, the young man is also charged with trespassing with intent to instil fear, and causing damage to a kitchen window at the subject property.

The defendant, represented by lawyer Simon Fleming, made his appearance before Judge Anthony Halpin at the Dublin District Court on Saturday. He has yet to register a plea and recently applied for bail, which was met with firm objection. According to Garda Stewart Gleeson, Mr. Kumbu remained silent when the charges were read out.

Pending are directives to ascertain whether the case will be deliberated at the District Court, or sent to the Circuit Court, which carries broader sentencing authority. Due to the severity of the charges, potential interference with witnesses, and overall gravity of the case, the garda objected to Mr. Kumbu’s release.

Mr. Fleming countered that his client, who is presumed innocent, would agree to stringent bail conditions as deemed fit by the court but Judge Halpin rejected the proposal. He ordered Mr. Kumbu to remain in custody, and appear before the Cloverhill District Court via video link the following Tuesday morning. The court has granted legal aid for the accused, who was not required to testify during the hearing.

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