'Blood everywhere' as man jailed for inflicting 'life changing' injuries during Longford apartment stabbing

A grandfather who stabbed another man during an altercation at an apartment in Longford town and inflicted "life changing" injuries has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail.

Grigorijus Sibika (54), Top Flat, Keanes Garage, Strokestown Road, Longford, pleaded guilty at sitting of Longford Circuit Court last week to assault causing harm at the aforementioned address on October 1, 2021.

Prosecution barrister for the DPP, Shane Geraghty said the victim Donates Mejeris had been drinking vodka for several hours with Sibika and another man in the hours before the attack occurred.

Mr Geraghty said during the course of the night Sibika, who had little or no recollection of the incident, became very aggressive and he took a large knife from the kitchen and he stabbed the victim multiple times.

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Mr Mejeris sustained a long deep 8cm would on the top of his forehead and another deep wound on the top of his head.

Gda Lorraine Shiel said the victim believed he had not been very intoxicated, however, Sibika had been very drunk and described how the defendant had come at him "for no reason".

The court heard the Mejeris was unable to recollect how many times Sibika, a Lithuanian national, came at him but there was "blood everywhere".

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The third man insisted that the injured man needed to immediate hospital treatment and doctors believed he was lucky to survive.

Mr Geraghty said the victim has been left with significant 'life changing' injuries and he worries when he applies for jobs that the scars could put employers off.

Gda Peter Doherty said when he arrived at the scene he observed Mr Mejeris with a bloody head and a blue general facemask was being used as a makeshift bandage.

Gda Doherty described how Sibika was mopping up blood and he looked around for signs of a struggle but there was none.

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Judge Kenneth Connolly heard the weapon was found under the defendant's pillow and there was some blood found on the sheets.

The court heard the victim has been left with significant 'life changing' scars and he is anxious the marks could put employers off.

Gardaí interviewed Sibika, who has lived in Ireland for 22 years, but he denied any wrongdoing and insisted his memory was impaired.

"For me a whole week is like a day and a blur," he added.

Sibika stated Mr Mejeris had arrived at the apartment covered in blood and he described him as being an 'idiot' who had sustained the injuries himself.

However, in court, Sibika, who receives €230 in disability payments per week, told Judge Connolly through an interpreter that he felt "terrible and shocked" about the attack on his friend.

Defence barrister Niall Flynn said although Sibika had nine previous convictions this was the first time he had appeared in court for a violent offence.

Mr Flynn said  a close relative of his client had recently died and he had spent the week drinking prior to the attack.

The legal representative said Sibika, who has a brother in Longford and a daughter and grandchild in Dublin, had attended an AA meeting but his English is poor and he struggled to understand.

Judge Kenneth Connolly viewed photographs taken after the attack and he said the injuries were horrendous, but he praised the doctors for doing a "remarkable" job in terms of the treatment.

Judge Connolly said Sibika's apology seemed genuine and the attack did not seem to be premeditated.

He added it was not the "most sophisticated cover up" to hide the knife under his pillow, but it did show "some presence of mind".

He imposed a 39 month sentence, however, he suspended the final nine months for an 18-month period on condition that Sibika avails of alcohol treatment and he engages with the Probation Services and a return to work officer.