Sandyford brawl victim dies in hospital; two men remanded in custody

A man who suffered catastrophic injuries in a large-scale violent confrontation at a Sandyford business park has died. Two suspects have been denied bail.

Sandyford assault victim dies as two suspects face court

A man who sustained "catastrophic injuries" during a large-scale violent confrontation at a south Dublin business park on Saturday evening has died, RTÉ News reports. Siminic Rostas passed away at the intensive care unit of Beaumont Hospital after his life support was turned off — news that reached Dún Laoghaire District Court, temporarily sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice, at 12.59pm on Monday, just as a bail hearing was under way.

Kevin Rostas, aged 21, of Harrington Street, Dublin 8, and Cristian Demian, aged 23, of Howth Road, Raheny, appeared before Judge Conor Fottrell. Both men were charged with violent disorder at the South County Business Park in Sandyford. Mr Demian faces an additional charge of assault causing harm to Siminic Rostas. Bail was denied in both cases, and more serious charges are anticipated.

What gardaí told the court

Detective Garda Buckley and Detective Garda Michael Doheny objected to bail for both accused. They told the court that at 8.25pm on Saturday, officers received a report of a large-scale disturbance involving several men engaged in violence at an abandoned premises. On arrival, gardaí found three men, including Siminic Rostas, who were significantly injured and required hospitalisation.

Initial inquiries established that approximately 15 people, members of the Roma community, had been residing at the abandoned premises for several months. It was claimed that the accused and three others arrived at the premises stating they were there to collect personal property belonging to someone inside. "Initially, there was a verbal dispute which escalated suddenly to violence," the detectives said, adding that the subject of the row remained under active garda investigation.

The court heard that a sustained physical confrontation followed, involving the defendant and three males against four occupants of the premises. CCTV footage captured significant portions of the incident and showed that lethal weapons and implements — including poles, sticks, and shovels — were used during the fight.

Bail denied despite defence arguments

Kevin Rostas was not legally represented at the hearing due to the ongoing solicitors' strike, which has seen solicitors withdraw their services in District Court legal aid cases over payment reforms. Detective Garda Buckley told the court that Rostas, who has no previous convictions, had connections to Romania and travelled there yearly. Rostas, a construction worker who told the court via an interpreter that he had been living in Ireland for 12 years, attended school here, and that all of his family — including his parents — were based in Ireland. His reply to his charge was: "I didn't threaten. I never had any trouble."

Privately retained defence solicitor Stephen O'Mahony represented Mr Demian and noted that his client had lived in Ireland since 2009 or 2010, with his parents, children, and partner all based here. Mr Demian was in full-time employment and had presented himself voluntarily at Raheny Garda Station, co-operating fully with gardaí. O'Mahony argued this contradicted the garda's flight-risk assessment, pointing out that his client had had an 18-hour window in which to leave the country but had not done so. Mr Demian's employer of eight years gave evidence in court, describing him as pleasant, dependable, and skilled. Demian's reply to charges after caution was: "I never said anything serious to anybody, I didn't go there to fight."

O'Mahony also submitted that there were no pathology reports yet and that the case was "very far removed" from being able to test the evidence. He stressed that his client had no warrant history and could face up to two years on remand awaiting trial.

Judge Fottrell held that gardaí had established sufficient flight-risk grounds, finding that both men were likely to evade justice. Both were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 8 September.

Third accused granted conditional bail

A third man, Augustin Rostas, aged 22 — with addresses at Convent Place, Hatch Street Lower, and Kevin Street, Dublin 2 — faced the same charge and allegations at a separate hearing on Sunday. He was granted conditional bail, remanded in custody pending a €1,000 lodgement and an address check. Upon taking up bail, he must have no contact with witnesses and is due back in court on Friday.

Source: RTÉ News