Man charged over Valentine's Day stabbing refused bail following garda objection

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with a Valentine’s Day stabbing in Limerick city.

A special court sitting on Saturday heard another man was stabbed seven times and remains in University Hospital Limerick where he is being treated for “serious but not life threatening injuries”.

The court heard allegations that the accused man - Moudar Friha - had openly spoken about stabbing the man earlier that day and that a family member had contacted HSE Mental Health Services in Limerick.

Detective Garda Ronan Humphreys gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution to Judge Patricia Harney in Kilmallock Court.

The accused - Moudar Friha, aged 23, of Fuchsia Avenue, Caherdavin, Limerick city is charged with assault causing harm and possession of a knife, which was sharply pointed, at Caherdavin Park, Limerick on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Det Garda Humphreys said Mr Friha made no reply to the charges after caution.

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Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting on behalf of the State, said there was an objection to bail. 

Liam Carroll BL, who represented Mr Friha, made a bail application on behalf of his client.

Det Garda Humphreys alleged that Mr Friha will "continue to commit further serious offences if granted bail”.

The detective garda further alleged that Mr Friha knocked on the alleged victim’s door in Caherdavin at around 8pm on Friday.

“Mr Friha was seemingly looking for a cigarette. Mr Friha then suggested they take a walk in the park which they did. The alleged victim said he knew something was up and asked what was wrong with Mr Friha. He alleges that Mr Friha was acting weird, was asking weird questions of him while also speaking in Arabic and staring at him.

“The alleged victim asked Mr Friha what was wrong. The alleged victim said Mr Friha said he had been raped while in treatment for addiction in Bruree (treatment centre) and called the alleged victim a rapist. The alleged victim denied this claim and began walking home when he was tackled by Mr Friha. The alleged victim felt a pain but thought it was a box he received and then noticed blood and felt a pain in his leg.

“He was stabbed once in the stomach, twice in the arm, once in his side and three times in the thigh. He was taken to UHL where he remains. His injuries are described as serious but not life threatening,” alleged Det Garda Humphreys.

The detective garda said it is the State case that Mr Friha had dreamt up a misguided belief in relation to the rape allegation in Bruree as the alleged victim has never attended Bruree.

A family member of Mr Friha’s was upset and apologised on the night saying he had serious mental health problems and had been up all the previous night smoking weed, alleged the detective garda.

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Det Garda Humphreys, in objecting to bail, referred the strength of the evidence and noted a number of elements which included blood-stained clothing, Mr Friha’s clothing, a knife, CCTV is being canvassed, and Fr Friha making full admissions during two interviews.

“This incident was unprovoked but was in fact premeditated,” alleged the detective garda.

The detective garda further alleged that Mr Friha had openly spoken about stabbing the man earlier that day and that a family member had contacted HSE Mental Health Services who advised them to contact gardai.

“Gardai made contact with Mr Friha four hours prior to the stabbing. He was said to have presented as placid and spoke about returning for treatment. Gardai had no concerns at this time.

"Despite this interaction which may curtail some people's thoughts or plans he followed through with plans by attacking the alleged victim and stabbing him a number of times.

“The State believes there is a huge risk of reoffending if given bail due to the manner of this attack, the premeditation involved and the planned execution of it. It is also believed he is a huge risk to the public at large,” alleged Det Garda Humphreys.

Mr Carroll, representing Mr Friha, put it to the detective garda that the alleged location is not covered by CCTV.

“CCTV is being canvassed currently,” said Det Garda Humphreys.

Mr Carroll said there were no eye witnesses.

“Not to the incident itself as far as I am aware,” said Det Garda Humphreys, who alleged that witnesses saw the “aftermath”.

Mr Carroll said his instructions from Mr Friha were that at the time of the alleged incident his client felt threatened.

“He felt the alleged victim was giving him threatening eyes is, I believe, what he said,” alleged Det Garda Humphreys. 

Mr Carroll said it is the case - albeit the gardai have canvassed and this couldn’t be the case - there is an honestly held belief on the part of the accused that he had been raped by the alleged victim.

“That could be his honestly held view,” said Det Garda Humphreys.

Mr Carroll said gardai called to the house a number of hours prior to the incident and gardai didn’t have concerns sufficient at the time to warrant them enacting the provision of the Mental Health Act.

The detective garda agreed with the barrister.

Mr Friha took the stand.

Mr Carroll asked him if he felt threatened by the alleged victim.

“Yes, sir, by his eyes,” said Mr Friha (pictured below).

Mr Carroll asked Mr Friha if he was to be granted bail is he a risk to anyone.

“No, not a risk,” said Friha.

Mr Carroll, in applying for bail, said Mr Friha has indicated to him and in interviews with gardai that at the time there was some degree of perceived threat.

“The potential defence remains open to him of justifiable use of force. As are my instructions I am imploring the court to consider granting him bail,” said Mr Carroll.

Insp Manton objected to bail being granted, saying the evidence has been given in the “strongest terms”.

“This individual armed himself with a knife, coaxed the victim outside and proceeded to stab him. What has been described as an honesty held belief, I would describe to the court as delusion of which any member of the public could be subject to. There is an extreme risk to the public if this individual is granted bail,” alleged Insp Manton.

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Judge Harney said Mr Friha comes before the court as an innocent man and the presumption of innocence remains until conviction.

The judge said she was satisfied that the accused should be refused bail on a number of grounds including the seriousness of the charges, the nature and strength of the evidence in support of the charges and the likely sentence to be imposed on conviction.

“I am satisfied that such a refusal is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence taking place,” said Judge Harney, who also took into account the accused being addicted to cannabis.

The judge imposed reporting restrictions in relation to the identity of the witnesses and alleged injured party only.

Mr Friha was remanded in custody to appear before Limerick District Court via video-link on February 18.

Judge Harney directed that Mr Friha receive appropriate medical and psychiatric attention in prison.