‘very serious’ | 

Mountjoy inmate accused of slashing prison guard’s face while trying to escape

Graham McEvoy (25) is accused of threatening “I’ll stab the face off you, I’ll stab you to death” as he lashed out and cut the officer.

Today at 11:02

A MOUNTJOY inmate slashed a prison guard’s face with an “improvised weapon” while trying to escape after he was taken to a clinic for an x-ray, it is alleged.

Graham McEvoy (25) is accused of threatening “I’ll stab the face off you, I’ll stab you to death” as he lashed out and cut the officer.

He is facing trial after a judge ruled the allegations were too serious to be dealt with at Dublin District Court.

Judge Gerard Jones adjourned the case for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Mr McEvoy, of Captain’s Road, Crumlin, is charged with producing a weapon capable of inflicting serious injury while assaulting the officer, causing him harm.

He is also charged with threatening to kill him or cause him serious harm.

Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch said the DPP consented to the case being dealt with in the district court subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.

Judge Jones asked for a summary of the allegations.

Sgt Lynch said on May 8 last year, the accused was escorted by prison officers to the VHI Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield for an X-ray.

After the appointment was completed, Mr McEvoy was handcuffed and brought to the cell van. The rear door was opened and the officer who was cuffed to the accused removed that cuff.

Mr McEvoy still had the other cuff on and was being assisted in getting his jacket off in the van when he stood and charged at the prison officers in an attempt to escape, it was alleged.

Outside the van, a prison officer tried to restrain Mr McEvoy against the car parked next to them, pushing him up against it to use the car as leverage.

It was alleged the accused swung both arms violently, lashing out with the arm that was still cuffed.

“He said I’ll get you, I’ll stab the face off you, I’ll stab you to death,” Sgt Lynch alleged.

He continued to lash out and the prison officer felt a sharp pain under his right eye, the court heard.

Another officer grabbed for the weapon and got control of the accused’s right hand. The officers noticed a white object which fell to the ground and was moved away.

The accused was placed back in the van.

The alleged victim looked at the front of his shirt and saw blood. The weapon allegedly used was a hard plastic improvised weapon with a sharp end, Sgt Lynch said.

The cut under the alleged victim’s right eye had to be glued and strips placed on it.

“This is very serious,” Judge Jones said. “I refuse jurisdiction without hesitation.”

He adjourned the case to a date next month for service of a book of evidence. Mr McEvoy will be sent for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when the book is ready.