MAN FACES COURT RAP OVER DEATH AT REFUGEE CENTRE
Independent autopsy as 65-yr-old held in custody
A JUDGE ordered an independent postmortem to be conducted on a man who died days after he was allegedly assaulted at an accommodation centre.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican granted an application calling for the autopsy during a special sitting of Newcastle West District Court in Co Limerick yesterday.
Ivan Volkov, 65, appeared before the court, charged in connection with the alleged fatal assault of Shamil Nabiev, a 69-year-old native of Azerbaijan.
Volkov, a Ukrainian national, who appeared in court with crutches, was charged with one count of assault causing harm to Mr Nabiev, on February 25 last, at the Dundrum House Hotel accommodation centre.
He was also charged with one count of affray at the same location on the same date.
A Ukrainian interpreter was provided to Volkov of Holm Oak Cottages, Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum, Co Tipperary, to explain what was happening during today’s court hearing.
Garda Pat Ahern, Tipperary Town, gave evidence of arresting Volkov at 9.18am on Saturday and charging him at 10pm that night with the two offences before the court.
Garda Ahern said Volkov replied to the assault charge: “I didn’t attack, I was defending myself.”
He said Volkov made no reply to the charge of affray.
Inspector Paul Slattery, Tipperary, told the court
Gardai had “no objection” to bail. Philip English, solicitor for Volkov, said he was not making an application for bail but he said he would “likely“be seeking bail on behalf of the accused at a later date.
Mr English made an application for “an independent postmortem” be conducted on the victim’s body, and he told the court “there is a certain urgency in respect to that”.
He said Volkov was living in Dundrum on “temporary protection refugee” status, that he has “serious health issues”, and he is in receipt of a weekly disability payment of €236 from the State.
Judge Coolican granted the solicitor’s application for an independent postmortem. Judge Coolican
also granted the accused free legal aid and ordered that he receive “all necessary medical assistance while in custody”.
The judge remanded Volkov in custody to appear before Nenagh District Court when a bail hearing is likely to proceed.
Gardai stated in an earlier press release that the injured party was taken to Tipperary University Hospital last Thursday to be treated for his injuries but had since died.
The Garda press notice stated that a postmortem was to be carried out by the State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster.
It addd that the scene of the alleged assault at the Dundrum House Hotel accommodation centre was being held for technical examination.
I didn’t attack. I was defending myself
IVAN VOLKOV IN REPLY TO ASSAULT CHARGE