An asylum seeker has appeared in court charged in connection with incidents, including an alleged assault, at a Clare direct provision centre on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Khaled Hamama (23) appeared in connection with the alleged assault causing harm to Djabir Gassen at the Central Hotel on Main Street, Miltown Malbay on Christmas Eve, December 24th contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
Mr Hamama is also charged with producing an article, a box cutter, capable of inflicting serious harm during the course of a fight at the same address on the same date, contrary to Section 11 of Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
Mr Hamama was a resident of the Central Hotel, Main Street, Miltown Malbay at the time of the alleged offences and now resides at the Knockalisheen direct provision centre in south east Clare.
Mr Hamama is also charged with on Christmas Day, December 25th at the Central Hotel Main Street, Miltown Malbay did without lawful excuse damage property by throwing paint onto a 08D motor car, belonging to Owen Byrne contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act
On the same date, Mr Hamama is also accused of without lawful excuse damage property by throwing a concrete block and stones at motor car 03D belonging to Djabir Gassen causing all windows to be broken, contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act.
Mr Hamama first appeared in relation to the charges at a special sitting of Nenagh District Court on St Stephen’s day and solicitor for Mr Hamama, Daragh Hassett said that his client has abided by his bail conditions since.
Mr Hassett said that Mr Hamama was unable to come to court from Knockalisheen due to transport issues and Sgt John Burke confirmed that this to be the case. A court appointed Arabic interpreter was in court today for the case.
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Hamama on bail to appear before court on January 17th. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to Mr Hassett to represent Mr Hamama.
In a separate unrelated assault case, Ukrainian national, Petro Drima (60) of Burren Hostel, Doolin Rd, Lisdoonvarna is charged with the assault causing harm to Oleksandr Lozyuk contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Act at the same address on November 30th last.
Judge Gabbett commented: “This is the alleged stabbing.”
The Burren Hostel houses Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia and solicitor for Mr Drima, Tara Godfrey said that her client is unable to appear in court via video link from prison following a diagnosis of TB.
Mr Drima was refused bail in the district court on November 30th and has been in custody since. Ms Godfrey said that her client is to make a bail application in the High Court.
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Drima in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on January 17th via video link.
