*Trevor Quinn.
AN ENNIS teenager charged in connection with an alleged broad daylight machete attack that left a man “3mm from death” has been returned for trial.
At Ennis District Court, a Book of Evidence was served in the case where Trevor Quinn (18) is charged in connection with an alleged ‘random’ broad daylight machete attack on Shane Tuohy on Ennis’s Cornmarket Street at 3.30 pm on November 20th.
Mr Quinn was refused bail in the District Court but obtained consent to bail in the High Court on condition that he remain out of Co Clare.
However, Mr Quinn of Hermitage, Ennis has remained in Limerick prison after a Dublin local authority objected to a bail address in Dublin.
After the Book of Evidence was served on Mr Quinn’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett, Judge Grainne Malone directed that Mr Quinn – appearing in court via video link from Limerick prison – be sent forward for trial to Ennis Circuit Court.
Mr Hassett applied for the legal aid certificate to be extended to cover one counsel to represent Mr Quinn in the Circuit Court.
Judge Malone issued an abili caution to Mr Quinn and told him that if an alibi formed any part of his defence, he had 14 days in which to provide evidence of the alibi to the State.
In the case, Mr Quinn is charged with at Cornmarket Street, Ennis did commit affray with another person, David Carroll in that Mr Quinn and the one other used or threatened to use unlawful violence that would cause another person to fear for their safety contrary to Section 16 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
Mr Quinn is also facing an assault causing harm charge of Shane Tuohy and charges concerning the use of a machete and the possession of a carpet knife.
At a contested bail hearing for Mr Quinn last November after viewing photos of the alleged machete injuries to Mr Tuohy’s neck and ear, Judge Alec Gabbett said that Mr Tuohy was ‘3mm from death’.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Tuohy’s artery was visible from the neck wound in the photos provided by Gardaí.
During the contested hearing, Judge Gabbett said that “the damage done is extraordinary”.
He said, “This young man’s ear was nearly sliced off. It is but for the grace of God that this man is alive”.
Looking at the photos, Judge Gabbett said, “Death was not far off. One more millimetre and that artery was severed and you would have a minute at best. That is what really concerns me”.
Mr Quinn has no previous convictions and has not been before the courts before.
At the end of the brief hearing concerning his return to trial, Mr Quinn said ‘God bless’ from his booth at Limerick prison.
