Man remanded over robbery, assault

A 30-year-old man was remanded in custody today after he was charged with robbery in connection with a violent raid at a Spar…

A 30-year-old man was remanded in custody today after he was charged with robbery in connection with a violent raid at a Spar shop in Dublin after which a staff member was hospitalised.

Shop supervisor Jahan Zaib Butt (30) collapsed and was left in an unconscious state shortly after an incident at the Spar on James's Street, in Dublin city centre, on Saturday last. The Pakistani shop employee was left in a serious condition and rushed to St James's hospital for treatment after sustaining a stab wound.

Gardai were alerted and arrested Ruadhan Tracey who also had to be taken to hospital for treatment for a leg injury.

Today Mr Tracey, who is of no fixed abode, appeared at Dublin District Court charged with possession of a syringe as a weapon and robbery at the Spar shop.

Garda Niall Godfrey from Crime Task force, Kilmainham Gda Station, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. He told Judge Denis McLoughlin that he arrested Mr Tracey on July 31st, at 10.31pm at the garda station. The two charges were put to him at 11.15pm and he made "no reply" after caution.

Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury told the judge that there was no application for bail but she asked the court to direct that her client would receive medical attention. She also applied for legal aid for Mr Tracey and handed in statement of his means.

Judge McLoughlin granted free legal aid to the 30-year-old man after noting that there was no objection from gardai.

The judge ordered that Mr Tracey, who was on crutches when he appeared in court today, was to receive appropriate medical attention and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on August 8th.