Man accused of stabbing in Kinnegad to stand trial

A man in his 40s is to stand trial accused of leaving another man in hospital after allegedly stabbing him in the stomach 18 months ago.

Mariusz Malecki (45) of The Court, Marketpoint, Mullingar, Westmeath, appeared at Mullingar District Court last Thursday charged with assault causing harm to the man, and the possession and production of a knife during a fight at The Green, Bun Daire, Kinnegad, on February 4 last year.

Malecki had appeared in court at the end of April for a jurisdiction hearing.

Sgt Orla Keenan told the court gardaí were called to the scene shortly before 8pm in response to reports of a suspected stabbing.

She said officers went to the aid of a man who had sustained a stab wound just below his rib cage and to the left side of his abdomen. The informed them the injury had come at the hands of the accused, who was standing outside on the footpath. When gardaí approached Malecki, he admitted his culpability handed over a knife to officers. Sgt Keenan said Malecki was arrested under S3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and taken to Mullingar station.

The alleged victim was taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar.

A medical report was not available, Sgt Keenan said. Photos of the suspected weapon were handed in.

The court heard the state would rely on a witness who was in the house at the time of the alleged attack.

Judge Owens said the injuries were “consistent with being stabbed” and the alleged injured party was hospitalised as a result. Those factors were key in the court refusing jurisdiction. Sgt Keenan said directions from the DPP had recommended a trial in the Circuit Criminal Court. The directions included consent for Malecki to go forward on a signed guilty plea “should that arise”.

Malecki, who is in custody, on a separate and unrelated matter, was remanded to Mullingar District Court on October 16 for the serving of a book of evidence.