A 32-year-old Ennis man appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the stabbing of a 29-year-old Filipina waitress at an Ennis hotel on Tuesday night.
At Ennistymon District Court yesterday, Tommy Dormer, Ashfield Park, Gort Road, Ennis, was charged with assaulting Mia Buena at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, Gort Road, Ennis, on January 2nd contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Dominic Regan of Ennis Garda station told the court that after caution, Mr Dormer responded: "I'm sorry for what I have done." Garda Regan said that he arrested Mr Dormer at 6.19pm on Tuesday in the vicinity of the Auburn Lodge Hotel and detained him for questioning.
Solicitor for the accused, William Cahir consented to a Garda application that Mr Dormer be remanded in custody to Limerick Prison to tomorrow's sitting of Ennis District Court.
However, Mr Cahir asked that as a matter of urgency, Mr Dormer receive care from a forensic psychiatrist at Limerick Prison.
He said: "Mr Dormer has been receiving treatment and I would ask that the psychiatrist at Limerick Prison liaise with Mr Dormer's own psychiatrist."
Mr Cahir also requested that Mr Dormer not be put among the general prison population in Limerick due to concerns over his health.
Supt Éamon Dolan of Ennistymon Garda station told the court: "Mr Dormer has been in receipt of psychiatric care and it is important that it continue while he is in custody."
Dressed in a navy blue fleece and black jeans, Mr Dormer stood in court for the five minute hearing and spoke only to confirm that he was unemployed.
Judge Joseph Mangan granted legal aid for Mr Dormer after being told that the Ennis man is also in receipt of disability allowance.
Remanding Mr Dormer in custody until Friday, Judge Mangan said that he would make the recommendations to the prison authorities requested by the defence.
A spokeswoman at Ennis General Hospital said yesterday that Ms Buena remains stable in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday night. The alleged stabbing took place at about 6pm on Tuesday while Ms Buena was serving dinner to guests of the hotel.
