Man charged with Cavan stabbing

Gardaí attended an assault that occurred on John Paul Avenue in Cavan Town, Co Cavan at approximately 6:35pm on the 30th of July 2021

A man has been charged with stabbing his sister in the leg with a screwdriver.

Paul Smith (35) was refused bail when he appeared before Judge Victor Blake at last Saturday's special sitting of Dublin District Court.

He was charged with assault causing harm arising from an incident that occurred at a house in the John Paul Avenue of Cavan Town the evening before, July 30.

Mr Smith, with an address at Ard na Greine, faced objections to bail, with prosecuting gardaí outlining the alleged seriousness of the offence before the court and and the potential threat of witness interference if granted release.

Garda Dean Fahy told the court the woman had been hospitalised following the incident.

She was allegedly punched in the face before being "stabbed in her left thigh" with a "screwdriver".

The woman made a statement to gardaí regarding the matter, and there was an independent witness also, the court heard.

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the matter to determine if the case can be heard in the District Court or sent forward for prosecution on indictment before the Circuit Court.

The barrister informed the court that Mr Smith is on disability benefit but had recently completed a training course and has been looking for employment.

Instead of refusing bail, he asked the court to set strict conditions to bail.

However, Judge Blake refused the application and remanded the defendant in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court later this week.

Legal aid was granted.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed the stabbing incident had taken place.

"Gardaí attended an assault that occurred on John Paul Avenue in Cavan Town, Co Cavan at approximately 6:35pm on the 30th of July 2021.

"One woman, aged in her 30s, was conveyed to Cavan General Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries received as a result of this incident."