REMANDED ON BAIL | 

Direct provision resident (20s) smeared blood on cell and assaulted garda, court told

Bilal Bibi (28) is accused of a section 2 assault on a male garda at Mullingar garda station

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Today at 08:33

A man in his 20s who had been residing at a Direct Provision Centre has appeared in court charged with assaulting a garda and smearing blood over the walls of a cell wall.

Bilal Bibi (28), of Jesuit Refugee Centre, Clare Lodge, Ennis, Clare appeared at a sitting of Mullingar District Court on Thursday before Judge Bernadette Owens.

Sgt Michael Shanley gave evidence of arresting Bibi at Mullingar Courthouse shortly before 10:30am where details surrounding the charges were read out.

He said when Bibi was charged, the accused made no reply after caution.

Defence solicitor Louis Kiernan said his client, who had formerly been residing at Columb Barracks in Mullingar, Co Westmeath but was now housed at a direct provision centre in Co Clare.

Judge Bernadette Owens amended one of the charges to a section 19 (3) charge concerning the obstruction of a Garda at Dominic Place, Mullingar on January 14 this year.

Judge Owens was informed the clean up costs linked to the criminal damage charge amounted to €200.

It was on the same date Bibi is accused of a section 2 assault on a male garda at Mullingar garda station.

The court was told by Sgt Orla Keenan the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for summary disposal, meaning the case could be heard in the District Court.

A disclosure order for all State evidence relating to the charges was made to Mr Kiernan.

An Arabic interpreter was also certified for ahead of Bibi’s next return date.

Judge Owens remanded Bibi on bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on July 11.