*Limerick Prison.
A 44-year old remand prisoner was attacked in recent days by another prisoner in prison and suffered scald injuries across the right side of his face, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, solicitor for Minto Ahmed of Acha Bhile, Lahinch Rd, Ennis, Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Ahmed was a victim to an assault at Limerick prison “when he was scalded in an attack by another prisoner”.
Mr Ahmed was produced in court today by personnel from the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and looking at the extent of Mr Ahmed’s facial injuries, Ms Godfrey said that she did not appreciate the full extent of her client’s injuries.
Judge Alec Gabbett said that Mr Ahmed “is very distressed by his appearance”.
Along with extensive scald injuries to the right side of his face, Mr Ahmed was also wearing a white bandage around his left wrist and lower arm.
Ms Godfrey said that the prison attack on Mr Ahmed required his transfer to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and he was then transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for further treatment.
Ms Godfrey said that Mr Ahmed was then discharged from CUH and returned to prison.
Five prison officers today accompanied Mr Ahmed into court.
Mr Ahmed is on remand concerning a charge of producing a hammer in the course of a dispute at his home on May 7th contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and was refused bail at Ennis District Court last month.
Ms Godfrey said that given her client’s current circumstances she was applying for bail.
Ms Godfrey said Mr Ahmed’s brother was in court to assist. Sgt John Burke said that Gardaí has no objection to bail.
Judge Gabbett adjourned the bail application to later in the day to ascertain if Mr Ahmed has been taking his medication while on remand in custody.
When told by prison staff that Mr Ahmed last took medication on May 30th, Judge Gabbett said, “I don’t think I am in a position to grant bail”.
Judge Gabbett said that there is a serious public risk here with Mr Ahmed not taking his medication.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Ahmed is also facing allegations of a very serious assault on a social worker during the course of their duty.
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Ahmed in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court on July 2nd.
Sgt John Burke said that there will be DPP directions on that date.
