Assault charge | 

‘Esteemed surgeon’ accused of ‘slashing’ fellow resident in Ukrainian refugee residence

“This man had to receive 40 stitches,” the inspector said of the alleged injury

Kerryman

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A Ukrainian refugee, who is also an ‘esteemed surgeon’, is accused of ‘slashing’ the arm of a fellow resident in a Kerry refugee residence at the weekend, with the alleged victim requiring hospitalisation and 40 stitches.

Alexic Shenduk (53) was granted bail at a sitting of Tralee District Court on Monday, despite objections from Gardaí due to the serious nature of the offence on Saturday night at the Purple Heather in the Gap of Dunloe, Beaufort.

Gardaí also fear that the defendant will flee the jurisdiction, the court was told.

Mr Shenduk was charged with assault causing harm to Volodymer Levenets at the Purple Heather, Gap of Dunloe, on December 16, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

A Ukrainian interpreter was sworn in and evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by arresting garda, Detective James Daly.

The Purple Heather Is a residence for Ukrainian refugees, the detective outlined. Alexic Shenduk was arrested by way of schedule on Sunday, December 17, on suspicion of the assault.

“In reply to the formal charge, having been cautioned, Alexic Shenduk said: ‘He came into my home. Not me into his home. He was cursing to me, not me cursing to him. He promised to kick me in the neck, not me threaten to kick him in the neck’,” Detective Daly outlined

“He said he was asleep and people were smoking and shouting outside his window, saying ‘if they were not, he would just sleep’,” the detective added.

Inspector Dan Holland told the court that the State was objecting to bail. Detective Daly said the objection was because of the nature and seriousness of the offence.

It is alleged that at 9.30pm on the night, the accused “slashed Volodymer Levenets with a knife on his upper left arm,” the court heard.

Mr Levenets was conveyed to UHK, “where he received treatment for an 11cm laceration on his upper left arm, which required 40 stitches as a result of the assault,” Detective Daly continued.

There was “compelling CCTV evidence”, that the defendant is known to the victim as they both reside at the Purple Heather and there were also witnesses to the incident, the garda further outlined in his objections.

Gardaí also fear the accused will not turn up for future court appearances if granted bail amidst concerns he would leave the jurisdiction or interfere with witnesses, Detective Daly further explained.

However, Padraig O’Connell, solicitor for Alexic Shenduk, put it that there was the presumption of innocence, stating his client was a father-of-two and had no previous conviction the court was aware of.

“He is an esteemed medical surgeon from the Donetsk region, working in a top hospital in Donetsk and fleeing the war,” the solicitor said.

Mr O’Connell said it was self-defence and his reply was “germane” to the whole matter in that the alleged victim came to him and was cursing at him.

He was a Ukrainian refugee that was accepted and he had been here for a year, “Mr O’Connell said, adding: “This is a professional individual fleeing war”.

But Inspector Holland said it was a very serious incident and what concerned gardaí was ‘the reaction’ by the accused to people smoking outside the window.

“This man had to receive 40 stitches,” the inspector said of the alleged injury.

Judge Philip O’Leary said he would grant bail but he was concerned about proximity of the parties. Mr Levenets had been discharged from hospital back to the Purple Heather, the court was told.

The court was adjourned briefly while bail conditions were agreed, including that Alexic Shenduk endeavour to find alternative accommodation and stay away from both the Purple Heather and the injured party; surrender his passport and sign on daily at Killarney Garda Station.

The matter is to come before Dingle court on Friday, for directions from the DPP. The accused is not required to be present.