'Machete teen' on remand has better chance of seeing Santa before Christmas than psychiatrist, court hears

There is more chance of an Ennis teenager charged in connection with a broad daylight machete attack seeing Santa Claus before Christmas than there is seeing a psychiatrist in prison before then.

That is according to solicitor, Daragh Hassett who was commenting at Ennis District Court today on his client, Trevor Quinn’s (18) failure to date to be assessed by a psychiatrist while on remand at Limerick Prison.

Mr Quinn has been on remand at Limerick Prison since November 21 after being charged in connection with an alleged 'random' broad daylight machete attack on Shane Tuohy on Ennis' Mill Rd at 3.30pm on November 20.

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Mr Hassett said that for two and a half weeks of his time on remand, Mr Quinn of Hermitage, Ennis has been sleeping on a mattress on a floor in prison.

Mr Hassett said that his client "has never been in custody, never been charged and never before been a participant in the court system".

Mr Quinn was appearing via video-link from Limerick Prison and Sgt Frank O’Grady said that the file in the case is not yet complete commenting that the alleged injured party sustained "very serious injuries".

Judge Gabbett said that the case requires priority because of Mr Quinn’s young age.

He said: "It really needs to be moved on."

On the issue of psychiatric evaluation, Mr Quinn said from his booth at Limerick Prison: "I want to get evaluated because the judge ordered for me to be evaluated on the Thursday morning when I was in court and that was nearly four weeks ago."

Mr Quinn said that he mentioned it to the prison Governor before court and said that he was before the High Court on Monday for bail and he wasn’t able to get bail because of the issue of psychiatric evaluation.

Mr Hassett suggested that Judge Gabbett directed that Mr Quinn see a doctor in prison as opposed to a psychiatrist "because there is a better chance of him seeing Santa Claus before Christmas than seeing a psychiatrist".

Judge Gabbett said that a psychiatric assessment is warranted.

After Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Quinn in custody to appear at Ennis District Court on January 8, Mr Quinn said "God Bless."

In the case, Mr Quinn is facing four separate charges and they are the assault causing harm of Shane Tuohy, a charge of violent disorder on Ennis' Mill Rd and charges concerning the use of a machete and the possession of a carpet knife.

In court last month, Judge Gabbett refused bail to Mr Quinn after viewing photos of the alleged machete injuries to Mr Tuohy’s neck and ear.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Tuohy was "3mm from death".

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Tuohy’s artery was visible from the neck wound in the photos provided by Gardai.

During the contested bail hearing, Judge Gabbett said that "this young man’s ear was nearly sliced off. It is but for the grace of God that this man is alive."

Looking at the photos, Judge Gabbett said: "Death was not far off. One more millimetre and that artery was severed and you would have a minute at best. That is what really concerns me."

Judge Gabbett said that the photos of the alleged injuries suffered show that they "were made with an extremely sharp implement with almost surgical precision".

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