An Ennis teenager charged in connection with a broad daylight machete attack cannot currently take up High Court bail as a Dublin local authority has said that he can’t stay at a Council owned property, a court has heard.
In the case, Trevor Quinn (18) has been on remand at Limerick prison since November 21st after being charged in connection with an alleged ‘random’ broad daylight machete attack on Shane Tuohy on Ennis’s Mill Rd 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.
Mr Quinn of Hermitage, Ennis was waiting to take up bail once Gardai approved an address in west Dublin he was due to stay at.
However, Mr Quinn’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett has told Ennis District Court that his client remains in custody at Limerick prison with consent to bail “as there remains an issue of nailing down an address”.
Mr Hassett said: “He had an address which was a Council property in Dublin and the Council has said that he can’t stay in it.”
Mr Quinn was brought to court in the belief that he was facing an additional charge.
However, Sgt Frank O’Grady said that there was no new charge.
Judge Alec Gabbett said that it was not fair on Mr Quinn to bring him to court if there is no new charge “other than some fresh air which can’t do him any harm”.
Mr Hassett said that there was an expectation that there would be a new charge “and it hasn’t happened”.
Sgt O’Grady said that his instructions are that the file in the case is with the DPP.
Sgt O’Grady said that his own court note is that Mr Quinn’s court attendance would be excused if there is no new charge.
Sgt O’Grady said that he would wait for the DPP’s directions concerning the possibility of an additional charge.
Judge Gabbett said that Mr Quinn is 18 and a very young man to be on remand and he would mark the case ‘time passing’.
Addressing Mr Quinn, Judge Gabbett said: “Are you okay Trevor? Have you got everything you need?”
Mr Quinn replied: “Thanks judge. I spoke to a woman in prison about a psychological evaluation.”
Judge Gabbett said: “Great. That is very positive. You might get something out of that. Excellent.”
In the case, Mr Quinn is facing four separate charges and they are the assault causing harm of Shane Tuohy, a charge of violent disorder on Ennis’s Mill Rd and charges concerning the use of a machete and the possession of a carpet knife.
In court in November, Judge Gabbett refused bail to Mr Quinn after viewing photos of the alleged machete injuries to Mr Tuohy’s neck and ear.
Judge 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 Gardai.
During the contested bail hearing, Judge Gabbett said that “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.”
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Quinn in custody with consent to bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on February 5th.
