Man accused of Stoneybatter attack said he was ‘afraid to be killed’

A man told gardai he was “afraid to be killed” after he was arrested following an alleged knife attack in Dublin city, a court has heard.

Gabrial Fereira Motta Valladares, 29, of Broadstone Avenue, appeared before Dublin District Court on Tuesday.

Mr Fereira Motta Valladares was charged with two counts of assault causing harm, possession of a boxcutter knife and possession of sharply-pointed scissors.

The assaults are alleged to have occurred on Oxmantown Road and Niall Street in Stoneybatter, while the offensive weapon charges are alleged to have occurred on Murtagh Road and Manor Place respectively.

It comes after several men were taken to hospital following an alleged assault in the area on Sunday.

Mr Fereira, a Brazilian national, appeared visibly distressed in court while muttering and rubbing his hands and face.

He was assisted by a Portugese interpreter as Detective Garda David Chapman gave evidence of the charge and caution.

Det Gda Chapman said Mr Fereira had been arrested at 10.35pm on Monday at Bridewell Garda Station for the purpose of charge by Sergeant Mark Ferguson at 11.30pm.

The court was told that the accused replied “no comment” to the first charge under caution.

On the second charge under caution, Det Gda Chapman said Mr Fereira replied: “I was afraid to be killed.”

The court heard he made no reply to the remaining two charges.

Mr Fereira’s solicitor Michael French said he was not making an application for bail.

Judge Aine Clancy agreed with a request by Mr French that Mr Fereira receive “immediate medical attention”.

Mr French also said his client was not working and not in receipt of any income. Legal aid was granted by Judge Clancy.

Mr Fereira was remanded in custody to be produced before Cloverhill District Court on February 18.

Mr French said he may make an application for bail on that date.