Dutch national accused of stabbing in West Cork refused bail

Judge Carroll refused bail based on the garda objections stating there was 'a real risk' the man could interfere with the witness or injured party

Bantry Courthouse heard that Bas Mulders was charged with assault causing harm and producing an article in the course of a dispute. File picture: Dan Linehan

A Dutch national who is charged with two offences in relation to an alleged stabbing in Clonakilty, West Cork, has been refused bail in the district court.

Bas Mulders, aged 54, with an address at Western Road, Clonakilty, Co Cork, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Bantry District Court. The court heard that Mulders was charged with assault causing harm and producing an article in the course of a dispute.

Detective Garda Peter Nolan said that gardaí were objecting to Mulders being granted bail based on the O’Callaghan rules and Section 2 of the Bail Act 1997. 

Det Gda Nolan said gardaí had serious concerns that Mulders could coerce or intimidate a witness and/or the alleged injured party and there was also a risk he could flee the jurisdiction.

The court heard that Mulders was accused of stabbing another man with a knife during an argument at a location in Clonakilty in the early hours of Tuesday, July 22. 

The court heard that a witness had also given a statement in relation to the alleged assault and that Mulders denied the charges. The court was told that the alleged injured party was in a stable condition in Cork University Hospital.

Det Gda Nolan said that the alleged injured party lived near Mulders and that the accused had family in the Netherlands but no immediate family in Ireland. 

The court heard that Mulders had lived in Ireland for 22 years but did not own property and was not in employment with his principal income coming from disability allowance.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy appealed to the court to consider granting bail with conditions. He said that his client’s only previous conviction was road traffic related and he had no record for violent behaviour of any kind. 

He said that Mulders had been living in Ireland for many years and denied the charges.

Judge Carroll refused bail based on the garda objections stating there was “a real risk” Mulders could interfere with the witness or injured party. She remanded the accused in custody to appear again at Bandon District Court on July 28 and granted legal aid to Mr Mulders.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme