A man has appeared in court charged with a serious knife attack on a young radio researcher. Mairéad O'Dwyer (27) was left fighting for her life when she was stabbed repeatedly in the neck and shoulder just yards from her home in the Coombe area of Dublin.
Leszek Jarosz (21), from Poland, appeared before Kilmainham District Court yesterday on a charge of assault causing serious harm and two counts of robbery. The attack happened as Ms O'Dwyer walked home alone on the Lourdes Road at 4.30am on May 19th.
One knife wound was so deep it left an exit wound on the other side of her neck and she underwent seven hours of life-saving surgery in St James's Hospital.
Ms O'Dwyer, who is from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, worked as a researcher with Newstalk radio.
Det Sgt Walter Kilcullen told the court Mr Jarosz was arrested at his home address in an apartment at The Mill, Weavers Square, in the early hours of Friday morning.
He was taken to Kevin Street Garda station where he was charged in connection with the offence. Jarosz, who wore a navy fleece, kept his head bowed during the short hearing. He did not speak during his appearance.
No application was made for bail and the suspect was remanded in custody to reappear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday morning.
Judge Patrick McMahon granted legal aid and costs for a Polish interpreter.