Man (56) charged over Christmas Day knife attack in Co Cork

A man has been charged with assaulting two people in Co Cork on Christmas Day.

Laszlo Nemeth (56), a Hungarian national with an address in Cork, appeared before Midleton District Court in connection with the stabbing incident on December 25th last at Glen North, Banteer.

A woman, aged in her 50s, was critically injured in the attack but is now recovering from her injuries after being treated at Cork University Hospital.

Det Garda Padraig Reddington said Mr Nemeth was charged with four offences at Mallow Garda Station at 2.41am on Thursday.

These included separate charges of assault causing harm to a woman (50s) and to a younger man contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

He also faces two charges of being in possession of offensive weapons capable of causing harm, namely a fishing knife and a long handled axe, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.

Mr Nemeth did not reply when charged. His solicitor David O'Meara said he reserved the right to make a bail application at a later date and applied for free legal aid, which was granted by Judge Carroll.

The hearing of the case was delayed on Thursday because of a shortage of Hungarian interpreters due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. A member of the Hungarian community with excellent English was asked to step in instead of a regular agency worker, the court heard.

Judge Carroll remanded Mr Nemeth in custody to appear before Mallow District Court on January 11th.