Stalking accused ‘burned ex-partner with cigarette’

A man has appeared in a court in Dublin charged with stalking and attacking his former partner.

It is alleged Carlos De Oliveria (27) bombarded the man with texts and phone calls after their relationship ended and later assaulted him by putting out a cigarette on his face and biting him, Judge Patricia McNamara heard at Dublin District Court on Friday.

Mr De Oliveria, a Brazilian national who has an address on the North Circular Road in Dublin, brandished a knife and tried to stab another man who later got into a relationship with his ex-partner, the court was told.

He was remanded on bail by pending a ruling in September on his trial venue. He is charged with assault causing harm, harassment and production of a knife with a four-inch blade in a manner that could have caused serious injury.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed the case should only be dealt with at district court level if a guilty plea were entered - otherwise it would have to go to the circuit court which can impose lengthier sentences.

Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said her client would be pleading guilty and Judge McNamara asked for an outline of the evidence to determine the issue of jurisdiction.

The court was told it was alleged the injured party and Mr De Oliveria had been in a relationship. However, the complainant put an end to it and Mr De Oliveria “did not take the end of this relationship too kindly and persisted in contacting the injured party”.

A court garda sergeant told Judge McNamara that the defendant allegedly sent messages demanding answers as to why the relationship ended.

It was alleged he sent a message saying: "Why can't you answer me? I am going to destroy your life, I'm going to Facebook all your family, I'm going to tell everyone we are still in a relationship".

It is alleged he harassed the man from June 1st until August 21st last year. Judge McNamara was told the injured party would be called 20 times a day. Once he had 130 missed calls from the defendant while on another date there were 80 missed calls and 20 texts over a two-hour period, it was claimed.

Judge McNamara noted a guilty plea was being offered but she deferred ruling on whether she would accept jurisdiction until a date in September when a victim impact statement and possible medical reports are to be furnished to the court.