Man charged with violent robbery of shop

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

Shop supervisor Jahan Zaib Butt, 30, collapsed and was left unconscious shortly after an incident at the shop on James’s St last Saturday. The Pakistani shop employee was taken to St James’s Hospital after sustaining a stab wound.

Gardaí were alerted and arrested Ruadhan Tracey, who also was taken to hospital for treatment for a leg injury.

Yesterday, Mr Tracey, of no fixed abode, appeared on crutches at Dublin District Court charged with possession of a syringe as a weapon and robbery.

Gda Niall Godfrey from Crime Task force, Kilmainham Garda Station, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

Judge Denis McLoughlin was told by the garda he arrested the accused on July 31, 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 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 after noting there was no objection from gardaí.

The judge ordered that Mr Tracey was to receive appropriate medical attention and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Aug 8.