*The Burren Hostel.
A 61-year old Ukrainian national who has four sons fighting in the war against the Russians, has pleaded guilty to an assault causing harm offence at a Direct Provision centre in North Clare.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Petro Drima has pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm to Oleksandr Lozyuk contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Act on November 28th 2023 at the Burren Hostel, Doolin Rd, Lisdoonvarna.
Mr Drima was also staying at the Burren Hostel which was housing Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia.
After being initially charged, Mr Drima spent time in custody after bail was refused in the District Court and he subsequently secured bail in the High Court.
In one court appearance while in custody, Mr Drima was unable to appear in court via video link from prison following a diagnosis of TB.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor Tara Godfrey) said that Mr Drima “has four sons fighting in the war and he was staying in a hostel with a large group of other Ukrainian refugees and tensions obviously gave rise to the incident that occurred”.
Asking that Mr Drima’s legal aid certificate be extended to cover the cost of a psychiatric report, Mr Whyms said that Mr Drima has spoken in his interviews with Gardaí of the effects on his mental health on the background circumstances to the offence.
Mr Whyms stated that Mr Drima now resides in Dublin where he is working.
Asked by Judge Francis Comerford has Mr Drima come to Garda attention since the incident, counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL replied ‘no’.
Judge Comerford said that he would extend the legal aid certificate when Mr Whyms has identified the psychiatrist to do the work.
Ms Comerford instructed by Clare State Solicitor Aisling Casey, said that Mr Drima was facing a separate charge of producing a weapon in the course of a dispute on November 28th 2023 at the Burren Hostel which will be taken into account at the sentencing hearing.
Ms Comerford said that the guilty plea to the assault causing harm is on a full facts basis and Judge Francis Comerford further remanded Mr Drima on bail.
Judge Comerford directed that a victim impact statement be provided to court for the sentencing hearing. Judge Comerford said that the case can be adjourned to the call over of cases on March 25th.
