Man (27) charged after knife stand-off at Dublin shop denied bail

Tom Tuite

A 27-year-old man was arrested for carrying a flick-knife after a stand-off with armed gardaí at a Dublin shop and a confrontation amid claims of a stabbing.

Afghan national Nasim Sulemankhil, who is of no fixed address, appeared at Dublin District Court charged with unlawful possession of a knife described as being capable of inflicting serious injury or incapacitating a person, on Cathal Brugha Street on April 24th.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to social media.

Bail was denied when he appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

Citing the seriousness of the incident, Store Street Garda Eoin Hart told a contested bail hearing that Sulemankhil's reply to caution was "I don't do anything, they attacked me".

When charged with the weapons, he told gardaí: "I was beaten by the knife, it is on CCTV [sic]".

He listened to the proceedings with the aid of a Pashto interpreter

The court heard that the incident occurred at approximately 12:50 pm at a Centra shop, where gardaí were alerted by members of the public who made reports about a knife attack.

The court was told that a large crowd had gathered, while a Garda armed support unit was on the scene.

It was stated to gardaí that the accused had stabbed or attempted to stab a person before being chased to the doorway of the shop.

Some members of the public intervened by attacking him with umbrellas and throwing objects at him, the court heard.

However, defence counsel Kevin McCrave told gardaí that his client maintained he was being chased and that he had tried to defend himself.

Garda Hart said enquiries were ongoing in relation to the stabbing claims, and gardaí have yet to establish if anyone was attacked with the knife beforehand.

The court heard that the man subsequently dropped the knife and was taken into custody. Garda Hart stressed that the accused was unable to provide an address.

The defence barrister said his client had lived in Ireland for three years and had family living in the city centre, who had come to the hearing to offer him a place to stay.

Counsel told the garda his client would abide by strict conditions. He said the accused's mother had died recently, and he had been suffering from mental health issues.

Judge Finan emphasised that the accused, who had a bandage on his head, enjoyed the presumption of innocence, but denied his bail.

She acceded to a request from McCrave to direct that he receive a psychological assessment and interventions in custody.

Legal aid was granted to Sulemankhil, who did not address the court. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday at Cloverhill District Court.