strict bail |
The garda pointed out that the accused lacked an address, having lost his hostel place when a recording of the incident surfaced online
Mohamed Kaness
A 38-year-old man accused of “swinging” a screwdriver at a supermarket security guard in Dublin lost his accommodation after footage was uploaded to social media, a court has heard.
Mohamed Kaness, 38, formerly of Gardiner Street, D1, was granted strict bail on Saturday by Judge Stephanie Coggans at Dublin District Court.
Mr Kaness was charged with unlawful possession of a flathead screwdriver as a weapon and producing an implement capable of causing serious injury at Lidl on Talbot Street in the city centre’s north side on Thursday. Garda Paul Mooney objected to bail; he cited witness interference concerns and quoted an excerpt from Mr Kaness’s interview: “I’m not going to leave them alone”.
Gardaí asked what he would do then, to which he allegedly replied; “If you don’t do it, your job, I want to report him, it’s only two bottles and I was going anyway.”
The Store Street-based officer said that the man made no reply when charged with two counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
The garda pointed out that the accused lacked an address, having lost his hostel place when a recording of the incident surfaced online.
Describing the incident, Garda Mooney said he and colleagues responded to a report initially stating there was a man with a knife in the supermarket who had been held by security.
Mr Kaness allegedly had a broad-headed screwdriver and “was swinging this implement at security, that is why he was being detained.”
Defence counsel Kevin McCrave pleaded for bail for his client. The barrister said he did not think English was the accused’s first language. However, Mr McCrave confirmed he had instructions that Mr Kaness could reside with a friend in the Dublin 7 area and would stay away from specific locations.
The accused spoke only to consult with his lawyer.
Judge Coggans set bail in his bond of €200 and ordered Mr Kaness, who has yet to indicate a plea, to sign on five days a week at a Garda station, provide gardaí with his new address by the end of Saturday, remain away from Talbot Street and his former hostel.
He was granted legal aid and ordered to appear again in September.