MAN WAS MINUTES FROM DYING AFTER SLASHING, COURT TOLD
A 26-year-old man has been told to refrain from using all social media after allegedly threatening to kill or cause serious harm to another man in an online video.
Charlie Ward of Glenview Park, Ash Lane was granted bail at Sligo District Court despite an objection by gardaí.
Ward appeared before Sligo District Court on Thursday with his arm in a cast.
Defending solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told the court his client was intending to travel to Galway to attend hospital for surgery on his face for injuries sustained in an incident which took place on Christmas Eve night last.
Mr McGovern told the court his client was ‘slashed’ with a samurai sword and a stanley knife, resulting in hospitalisation for a number of days.
“Only for the attention of hospital staff he would not have survived,” said Mr McGovern
Following his objection to bail, Garda Stephen Fahy was asked by Mr McGovern if he would describe his client as a victim, to which he said he would.
Asked if he would also be angry if he had experienced what Mr Ward had experienced, he said he would.
Garda Fahy told the court it was believed the person alleged to have been involved in the incident had left the jurisdiction with no plan to return.
Taking the stand, Charlie Ward told the court he cannot move half of his face and has to have an operation. Ward said he was not fit enough to go to prison. He told the court he would sign on daily if given bail and would ‘stay off WhatsApp’.
Judge Kevin Kilrane said Ward was ‘ bent on revenge’ and said certain members of the community have their own ‘parallel system of justice’ that was not always through the court system. The judge described the Christmas Eve incident as ‘vicious and savage’.
Asked if he would leave matters to be dealt with by gardaí, Ward replied, “I want to put him in prison.”
“I was two minutes from death... I’m trying to get on with my life. This crime wasn’t my fault,” he told Judge Kilrane.
Judge Kilrane granted bail citing if it was refused Ward could face a considerable time in custody and also clearly required urgent medical attention.
As part of his bail conditions Ward must sign on daily, reside at his address, abide by a curfew, refrain from using social media, not to forward any video or audio recordings and not to make threats or have threats made on his behalf.
The matter was adjourned to February 13th next awaiting DPP directions.