Special Criminal Court trial for man accused of terrorist activity, garda stabbing and McGregor pub fire

The trial order was described by the defence as a 'significant escalation'

Workmen repair damage in July to Conor McGregor's Black Forge Inn in Crumlin. The defendant is charged with eight offences, including criminal damage related to a fire at Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn on July 25, four days before the garda stabbing incident. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

A man accused of stabbing a garda, arson of Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn, and terrorist activity in Dublin has been sent forward for trial to the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Abdullah Khan, aged 23, appeared at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday for his 11th hearing since being charged on July 31 and has not yet applied for bail. The prosecution served him with a book of evidence and was granted a trial order described by the defence as a “significant escalation”.

Mr Khan, who has an address in north Dublin that cannot be reported due to a court order, was arrested at the scene following an incident at around 6pm on Capel Street, on the city's north side, on July 29.

He is charged with causing serious harm to the officer under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and the production of a Tactix knife capable of causing serious injury. The injured garda, a young probationary member of the force who was on high-visibility patrol with a colleague, received hospital treatment.

Mr Khan is also accused of attempted assault of a second garda during the same incident, and endangering both officers' lives.

He is also charged with three other offences, including criminal damage related to a fire at Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn, Drimnagh Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, on July 25, four days before the Capel Street incident.

The other two were under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences Act), 2005, for engaging in terrorist activity or terrorist-linked activity, during the alleged arson on July 25 and the knife attack.

He has yet to indicate a plea to the charges stemming from an investigation by the Special Detective Unit (SDU) and detectives from Dublin’s Bridewell Garda station.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that Mr Khan be tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court, which is reserved for terrorism or organised crime-related offences.

The DPP drafted a certificate under section 46.2 of the Offences Against the State Act that, in this case, "the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice". State solicitor Clare Barry furnished Judge Derek Cooney with a copy of the certificate. 

The judge heard the DPP consented to Mr Khan being returned for trial to a sitting of the Special Criminal Court on the eight charges set out in the book of evidence. Judge Cooney granted the DPP's request for a trial order.

However, a date for Mr Khan's appearance before the three-judge court in the Criminal Courts of Justice has yet to be set.

Following an application by defence solicitor Matthew de Courcy, legal aid was granted to include a barrister and senior counsel to represent the accused at his trial. Mr de Courcy said there had been a “significant escalation” in the case.

The accused, wearing a grey tracksuit, remained silent as the judge made the order. Mr Khan was remanded in continuing custody. The judge warned him to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to adduce alibi evidence in his defence.

Earlier, Mr de Courcy had stressed his client had the presumption of innocence and was entitled to an expeditious process. During his hearings, he has spoken only to confirm his name or to confirm instructions to his solicitor. 

Reporting restrictions on Mr Khan's address have been continued for public safety reasons.

Earlier, SDU Sergeant Eamonn O'Neill gave evidence that Mr Khan "made no response when cautioned” with the arson and terrorist activity offences. He added: "One of the charges is directly related to the previous charges, and the others are a separate but related incident.” 

Detective Sergeant Liam McLoughlin, from the Bridewell, said Mr Khan "made no reply" to the Capel Street allegations.