Chinese men charged after gardaí attack

TWO Chinese men arrested following the stabbing of two gardaí in north Dublin were charged with theft and immigration offences.

The two appeared before Dublin District Court yesterday morning and were remanded in custody for a week.

Detective Sergeant Paul Scott said that Xiang Cheng, aged 23, was arrested at 6pm on Thursday and charged at 8.45pm under Section 4 of the Theft Act.

Detective Sergeant Gary Kelly of Howth Garda Station said 24-year-old Qian Cheng was charged just after 7pm last night.

Mr Cheng is charged with theft under Section 4 and under the Immigration Act. Det Sgt Kelly said the accused made no comment when charged.

The two were remanded in custody to appear before Clover Hill District Court on 22 July 22. No application for bail was made on behalf of the two men.

One of the two gardaí injured in the incident late on Wednesday remained in hospital last night. Garda Dave Comar is in a stable though still serious condition after being stabbed in the back and chest during the struggle at a house in Raheny. It is believed a screwdriver was used in the attack.

A second garda, James Hendricks, was also injured, though less seriously. Garda Hendricks pulled his colleague out of the house after the pair were attacked by up to three masked men.

The gardaí had visited the house after responding to a report of a disturbance and possible robbery in progress.