An immigrant taxi driver has been remanded in custody over an alleged knife attack at an address in Clonee in which a pregnant woman was stabbed.
Five people were injured in the incident on 19 February, according to Garda sources, with one seriously wounded person being treated at James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown.
Lateef Fatal Bello, who is originally from Nigeria and now residing in Clonee, was remanded in custody at Blanchardstown District Court on 20 February on five charges, including two of assault, one of aggravated burglary, and being in possession of two knives.
Just before the special court sitting, Bello – a 40-year-old father of four – made threatening signs and called some Nigerians who came to the court to observe the proceedings “rebels”.
He was due to reappear in court on 24 February, but at press time it is not known if the court sitting went ahead.
Metro Éireann understands that the victims, which include a pregnant woman and a girl, are mostly Nigerians and members of two different families who were known to Bello.
A source who was a patient at the hospital when the victims arrived said that one of them was taken to the intensive care unit.
It is believed that following the incident the Garda helicopter was used in the search for Bello in Clonee, but that has not been confirmed by Garda sources.
“Investigations are ongoing,” a Garda spokesperson told Metro Éireann.
