Woman accused of stabbing man (45) leaving him in serious condition refused bail

Blessed Mercy Mtwali, a 27-year-old woman, has been refused bail after being accused of stabbing a 45-year-old man in Dublin, leaving him with a serious injury. Mtwali, who was currently residing without a fixed address, appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Dublin District Court on Wednesday. She faced charges under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, which carries a life sentence upon conviction.

The court was told that Mtwali allegedly caused serious harm to her alleged friend during an incident outside his home on Tuesday at North Great Charles Street. The man's chances of survival were described as "very, very low." Defense counsel Paddy Flynn argued that Mtwali acted in self-defense, pleading for her to be granted bail under "blessed mercy."

However, her application was denied. Garda Karen O'Connell opposed bail due to flight risk concerns and the gravity of the case. She stated that Mtwali was found with injuries to her face and mouth, blood on her hands and clothes, and confessed to the act. The man was transferred to the Mater hospital by ambulance, where he remained in intensive care after undergoing two surgeries.

CCTV footage showed Mtwali striking the injured party with a knife in the chest, though it was not played during the bail hearing. Mtwali had no prior criminal record, but the court heard that she had ties to Dundalk and had come to Ireland in 2007 from Zimbabwe. She later obtained citizenship and had a child with citizenship. However, the court believed it probable that Mtwali would abscond.