Evidence wait for man accused of garda stabbing and McGregor pub arson

Tom Tuite

A man accused of stabbing a garda and the arson of Conor McGregor’s Black Forge in Dublin while engaging in terrorist activity in July has consented to a four-week remand in continuing custody.

Abdullah Khan, 23, appeared via video link at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday for his sixth hearing since being charged. He has not yet applied for bail.

He was held to appear again on November 5th while prosecutors complete a book of evidence for his trial.

Mr Khan confirmed his name, and the court's Garda Sergeant Olwyn Murphy told Judge Áine Clancy that the State required a four-week adjournment.

Dressed in a grey tracksuit, he remained seated.

He replied “good morning” when greeted by his solicitor Matthew de Courcy, who explained that the book of evidence was still awaited and the State had five weeks to deliver it, while he could consent to an adjournment of two or four weeks.

“Make it four weeks,” Mr Khan replied before thanking the judge, who further remanded him in prison to appear again on November 5th.

Mr Khan, with an address in north Dublin that cannot be disclosed due to a court order, was arrested at the scene following an incident at around 6pm on Capel Street in the city's north side on July 29th.

He was initially charged with assault causing harm to the officer and the production of a Tactix knife capable of causing serious injury.

The injured garda, a young probationary member of the force who was on high-visibility patrol with a colleague, received hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Mr Khan was initially remanded in custody on July 31st.

Last week, he faced five additional charges and directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were delivered specifying that Mr Khan is to be tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court, which is reserved for terrorism or organised crime-related offences.

Detective Sergeant Liam McLoughlin, from the Bridewell station, said Mr Khan "made no reply" when he charged him with two offences: endangerment of life and attempted assault of a second garda at Capel Street, on July 29th.

Special Detective Unit Sergeant Eamonn O'Neill then gave evidence that Mr Khan "made no response when cautioned” with other offences.

One of these charges was for criminal damage in connection with a fire at the Black Forge Inn, on the Drimnagh Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, on July 25th.

The other two are under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences Act), 2005, for engaging in terrorist activity or terrorist linked activity, during the alleged arson on July 25 and the knife attack four days later.

Detective Sergeant O'Neill had said, “The DPP directed that it is to proceed on indictment and the matter is to be forwarded to the Special Criminal Court”.

He added, "One of the charges is directly related to the previous charges, and the others are a separate but related incident.”

He also thought that all the charges would be in a single book of evidence.

The accused has yet to indicate a plea.

Reporting restrictions on Mr Khan's address have been continued for public safety reasons, “and the safety of other persons not related to this”.