Husband accused of holding knife to wife’s throat over her being unable to get pregnant
Tom Tuite
A husband, who allegedly attacked and held a knife to his wife’s neck in a row about her being unable to get pregnant, has been refused bail.
Mohammad Masum, 47, of Convent Court, Clondalkin, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm and production of an offensive weapon during an incident at his home on Wednesday.
The hospitality worker, originally from Bangladesh, who denies the allegations, faced bail objections when he appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday.
Judge Hughes heard evidence from an arresting garda who told the court it would be alleged that the complainant stated she and the accused had an argument in their living room about her being unable to become pregnant, which allegedly angered her husband.
The court heard claims that he slapped her in the face, went to the kitchen and picked up a large knife. The garda said that the woman informed him that the accused then held the knife to her neck and said, “I will kill you”.
The woman allegedly suffered a defensive wound when she pushed him away, and did not require hospitalisation, but was in pain. She did not attend the contested bail hearing.
The garda said the man went out and left her with her mobile phone, which he did not normally do, and he allegedly controlled finances.
It was also alleged that he prevented her from seeking employment or having friends. The garda alleged that the accused would not let her leave the apartment without him.
By the time of the bail hearing, she had moved to a refuge because she was not comfortable returning home.
The garda told defence solicitor Michael French that he would not agree to any bail terms when it was suggested the accused could reside at another location.
The judge heard that there were no family law court orders in place. The woman had arrived in the country about nine months ago, and the accused had lived with her for three years, the court was told.
Mr French put it to the arresting officer that his client made no admission, and the garda replied that the accused stated he had picked up the knife to scare her during the argument.
The defence solicitor stressed his client denied the allegations, and argued that there was nothing to suggest the accused, who had no warrant history, would fail to turn up to court.
Judge Hughes emphasised that Mr Masum still had the presumption of innocence and bail, and he noted the case may proceed on indictment. However, he held that the prosecuting garda had established grounds for objecting to bail, and he also took into account the seriousness of the charges.
The accused, who did not address the court, was remanded in custody pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions to appear again on November 28th.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.
Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
