Man held in meat cleaver assault case

A book of evidence has been served on a 32-year-old man arising from an alleged meat cleaver assault that left the victim with a 20-stitch laceration to the head.

Patrick Kolodziej of Coor East, Doonogan, was initially charged with assault causing harm in relation to the alleged meat cleaver and knife attack on Marcin Jeziorny at the home the two Poles shared near Miltown Malbay near Clare’s Atlantic coast on May 17.

On conviction, a charge of assault causing harm carries a maximum jail term of five years. However, the State last month charged Mr Kolodziej with assault causing serious harm that carries a prison term up to life on conviction.

Mr Kolodziej first appeared in court two days after the alleged assault and has remained in custody since after failing to secure bail on his first appearance in court.

He is now also charged with cultivating cannabis without a licence at Coor East Doonogan on May 17 and having cannabis in his possession with the intent to sale and supply the drug.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy remanded Mr Kolodziej in custody to August 17 to Ennis District Court when he will hear the bail application.