Judge Cormac Dunne, at a special sitting of Cavan District Court on Saturday evening, refused bail to a 22-year-old South African who was charged with assaulting a local 20-year-old on Friday morning last.
The assault has left the victim on a life support machine in Dublin's Mater hospital
The court heard from Insp Michael Curley and Sgt James Faher that more serious charges may be preferred against the defendant, Neil Van Der Westhuizen, as the victim of the alleged assault Paul Smith suffered a "savage attack with severe stomach and chest injuries caused by a knife".
The defendant's solicitor Gareth Fortune told the court that he was seeking bail as his client had informed him that he had been warned by relatives of the victim that "If we don't kill you in Cavan, we will get you in whatever jail you are in".
The judge ruled against bail. "Fact is, I do believe that he believes his life is in danger and that makes it more likely that he may flee the country," he said.