Cleaver man ‘ lucky not to lose his hand’

A MAN was lucky not to lose his left hand entirely and the toes on his right foot in a meat cleaver and knife assault, a court has heard.

Patrick Kolodziej, 32, is charged with causing serious harm to Marcin Jeziorny at the home the two Poles shared near Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, on May 17.

Detective Garda Donal Corkery yesterday successfully objected on behalf of the State to Mr Kolodziej of Coor East, Doonogan, obtaining bail at Ennis District Court.

Mr Kolodziej is also accused of producing a kitchen knife and a meat cleaver capable of inflicting serious injury during the course of the alleged assault.

The meat cleaver was 12ins in length, with a blade that was 8.5ins long and 4ins wide. Meanwhile, the kitchen knife was 10.5in long with a 6in blade.

Mr Kolodziej is also charged with arson at Coor East, Doonogan, and with cultivating cannabis without a licence at the same address on May 17 and having cannabis in his possession with intent to supply.

Mr Kolodziej made a fresh bail application yesterday, having already been refused bail in the district court and also in the High Court.

He was able to make the fresh application after being sent forward for trial yesterday to Ennis Circuit Court.

In evidence, Det. Corkery said that the consultant plastic surgeon who treated Mr Jeziorny at Galway categorised the injuries as ‘very serious’.

He said: ‘The surgeon’s medical report outlines that the injured party was very lucky not to lose his left hand entirely and also lucky not to lose his toes on his right foot.’

Mr Jeziorny also required 20 stitches to his scalp and additional stitches to his face.

Det. Corkery told Judge John King that Mr Kolodziej was a severe flight risk as he had no ties to Ireland, was unemployed and was currently of no fixed abode.

Mr Kolodziej’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett, said that there were no independent witnesses to the incident and that the accused would be putting forward a defence of self defence.

Mr Hassett said his client would also plead not guilty to the drugs charge.

Mr Hassett asked Det. Corkery would Mr Kolodziej surrendering his passport and travel documents and signing on twice a day satisfy the gardaí but Det Corkery said Mr Kolodziej would still represent a flight risk.

Judge King refused bail on the grounds that Mr Kolodziej represented a flight risk as he had no ties here, the seriousness of the charges he faced and that he would get a relatively speedy trial.