Ireland Case No. 2997Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 4 Apr 2025
Man remanded pending sentencing for Dame Street bottle assault in Dublin
Shando Alfa, a 27-year-old Somali man, was charged with assault causing harm after allegedly attacking two 18-year-old twin sisters and a male passerby with a broken glass bottle on Dame Street, Dublin city centre, shortly before 2.30am on 4 April. The sisters had rejected his prolonged unwanted advances, and the passerby was struck in the head when he intervened. Alfa was refused bail at Dublin District Court in April 2026 and pleaded guilty at Cloverhill District Court in May. He affirmed his guilty plea before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in June and was remanded in custody to 14 October for sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Apr
6 reports - Convicted26 May
3 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two 18-year-old twin sisters and a male passerby were allegedly assaulted with a broken glass bottle after the sisters rejected the accused's prolonged unwanted advances.
- Where
- The attack took place on Dame Street, Dublin city centre.
- When
- The incident occurred shortly before 2.30am on 4 April, with sources disagreeing on whether the year was 2025 or 2026.
- Weapon
- The accused allegedly brandished the head of a broken green glass bottle.
- Cause
- The sisters had rejected the accused's prolonged unwanted advances before the attack.
- Investigation
- Excellent-quality CCTV footage and a phone recording with audio captured the incident before, during, and after.
- Charges
- Alfa was charged with assault causing harm to both sisters and the passerby under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
- In court
- Alfa was refused bail at Dublin District Court, pleaded guilty at Cloverhill District Court, and affirmed his plea at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- He was remanded in custody to 14 October 2026 for sentencing at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Other details
- One twin suffered two deep lacerations to the top of her head needing staples and bruising under her eye; the other had a deep cut to her hand needing stitches and surgery.
- The male passerby required stitches at Connolly Hospital where glass was removed from his wound.
- Alfa first became known to be in the country in February 2025 with no record of port of entry, was unemployed, and had no family or ties to the State.
136 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA deep laceration to one sister's hand was allegedly inflicted by a sharply pointed article brandished by the accused. (rte.ie)
- whatThe sisters were taken by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital. (rte.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatThe injured passerby needed stitches at Connolly Hospital. (rte.ie)
- whatThe accused struck the passerby with the bottle and stabbed him in the head (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne twin was grabbed by her head, pulled down, punched in the face, and suffered a deep laceration to her hand (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe other twin was struck on the head, resulting in a cut (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatOne sister had two deep lacerations to the top of her head needing staples and bruising under her eye (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe second sister had a deep cut to her hand needing stitches and will need surgery (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe passerby required stitches at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, where glass was removed from his wound (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused was in the video holding the broken bottle and swinging it in a stabbing motion (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused still had the broken bottle on arrest (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused made no comment during his interview (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe sisters had been socialising in the city centre (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe twins made their way to a bus stop while the accused continued making advances (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe sisters rejected the man's prolonged unwanted advances before the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA male passerby intervened and asked the accused to leave the sisters alone. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused struck the passerby with the bottle piece and stabbed him in the head. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGreen glass was recovered from the twins' injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe injured passerby required stitches at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, where glass was removed from his wound. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThere was excellent-quality CCTV footage before, during, and after the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA camera phone recording with audio captured the young women pleading with the man before the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused was in the video holding the broken bottle and swinging in a stabbing motion. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt arrest, the accused still had the head of the broken green glass bottle. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused first became known to be in the country in February 2025 with no record of his port of entry. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe accused had no family in or ties to the country, raising significant flight risk concerns. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man pleaded guilty to attacking two teenage twin sisters with a broken glass bottle. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA passer-by who tried to intervene was allegedly struck with a bottle and stabbed in the head. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe 27-year-old man pleaded guilty to attacking teenage twin sisters. (gript.ie)
- whatAlfa pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to two 18-year-old twin sisters and a male passerby (irishtimes.com)
- whatA male passerby intervened and asked Alfa to leave the sisters alone (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlfa struck the male passerby in the head with the broken bottle (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne twin was grabbed by her head, pulled down and punched in the face (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne twin suffered a deep laceration to her hand believed to be caused by a sharply pointed article (irishtimes.com)
- whatAlfa fled the scene (irishtimes.com)
- whatAll three victims were treated in hospital (irishtimes.com)
- whatOn arrest, Alfa still had the head of the broken bottle (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne twin had two deep lacerations to the top of her head and bruising under her eye. (gript.ie)
- whatThe other twin had a deep cut to her hand and will need surgery. (gript.ie)
- whereThe attack happened on Dame Street in Dublin city centre. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe attack happened on Dame Street in Dublin. (rte.ie, gript.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened on Dame Street, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place on Dame Street in Dublin. (gript.ie)
- whereThe attack happened on Dame Street, Dublin 2. (gript.ie)
- whenThe sisters attempted to cross Dame Street shortly before 2.30am. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened shortly before 2.30am. (rte.ie)
- whenThe attack happened shortly before 2.30 am. (gript.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred shortly before 2.30am on Saturday (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack occurred shortly before 2.30am. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened in the early hours of 4 April. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe attack happened in the early hours of 4 April. (gript.ie)
- whenThe incident took place in the early hours of 4 April 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack happened in the early hours of 4 April 2026. (gript.ie)
- causeThe twins had rejected the accused's advances, which the court heard were prolonged. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe accused allegedly made unwanted advances towards the sisters, which were rejected. (rte.ie)
- causeThe accused allegedly pestered the sisters and made unwanted advances, which were rejected. (gript.ie)
- causeThe sisters were approached after Alfa allegedly pestered them and made unwanted advances that were rejected. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe sisters had rejected the man's advances. (gript.ie)
- causeThe accused had made unwanted advances toward the sisters, which they rejected. (gript.ie)
- weaponThe twins were stabbed with a broken glass bottle. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe accused allegedly attacked with the head of a broken green glass bottle. (rte.ie)
- weaponThe accused allegedly brandished a broken green glass bottle. (gript.ie)
- weaponA broken glass bottle was used as the weapon (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe accused used the head of a broken green glass bottle. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponAlfa allegedly brandished the head of a broken green glass bottle. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe man was armed with the head of a broken green glass bottle. (gript.ie)
- weaponAlfa assaulted the victims while brandishing the head of a broken glass bottle (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe accused brandished a broken green glass bottle during the attack. (gript.ie)
- investigationGardaí said there was excellent-quality CCTV footage before, during and after the incident. (thejournal.ie, gript.ie)
- investigationThe accused made no comment when charged and during interview. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationExcellent quality CCTV footage was said to exist from before, during and after the incident. (rte.ie)
- investigationAlfa made no comment after gardaí charged him at Pearse Street station. (gript.ie)
- investigationExcellent-quality CCTV footage covers the incident. (gript.ie)
- investigationExcellent quality CCTV footage exists before, during, and after the incident (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí have excellent-quality CCTV footage of the incident. (gript.ie)
- chargeHe is charged with assault causing harm to both young women and to a male passerby. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe alleged offences are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeAlfa is charged with assault causing harm to both sisters and to a male passerby. (rte.ie)
- chargeAlfa was charged at Pearse Street station and made no comment. (rte.ie)
- chargeAlfa is charged with assault causing harm to both young women. (gript.ie)
- chargeAlfa is also charged in relation to a male passerby who tried to help the sisters. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe offences are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, with a maximum 10-year sentence on conviction. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe accused is charged under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act (irishtimes.com)
- chargeAlfa was charged with assault causing harm to both young women and to a male passer-by. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe offences are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with assault causing harm to both young women and a male passerby. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe offences are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, with a maximum sentence of 10 years on conviction. (gript.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on the two twins and a passerby. (gript.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Ciaran Liddy refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody pending directions from the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHe is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case is likely to be sent forward to the Circuit Court. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie, gript.ie)
- courtAlfa has been refused bail. (rte.ie)
- courtAlfa was granted legal aid and remanded in custody pending directions from the DPP. (rte.ie, gript.ie)
- courtAlfa is due to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. (rte.ie)
- courtAlfa was refused bail on Monday. (gript.ie)
- courtJudge Ciaran Liddy denied bail. (gript.ie)
- courtGardaí objected to bail, citing flight risk and a propensity to violence. (gript.ie)
- courtAlfa is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday. (gript.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody at Dublin District Court pending DPP directions (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail was denied two days after the incident. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to Alfa being sent forward for sentencing to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAlfa was remanded in custody pending sentencing. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to sending the case forward for sentencing to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (gript.ie)
- courtThe judge extended legal aid to brief counsel and cover a psychological report. (gript.ie)
- courtThe case will be listed in the higher court on a date in June. (gript.ie)
- courtHe was remanded in custody pending sentence, with no application for bail. (gript.ie)
- courtAlfa appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP consented to Alfa being sent forward for sentencing to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtAlfa was remanded in custody pending sentence with no application for bail (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was extended to brief counsel and cover a psychological report (irishtimes.com)
- courtGardaí were directed to furnish the defence with copies of interview videos (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused affirmed his signed guilty plea before the Circuit Criminal Court. (gript.ie)
- courtBail was refused and he was remanded in custody. (gript.ie)
- courtThe case was transferred to the Circuit Criminal Court. (gript.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody to appear before the Circuit Criminal Court on 14 October. (gript.ie)
- sentenceOn conviction, the offences are punishable by a maximum 10-year sentence (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceOn conviction the offence is punishable by a maximum 10-year sentence. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum penalty on conviction is 10 years. (gript.ie)
- otherOne of the twins had two deep lacerations to the top of her head that needed staples. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe injured passerby required stitches at Connolly Hospital. (thejournal.ie)
- otherOne sister had two deep lacerations to the top of her head that needed staples and bruising under her eye. (gript.ie)
- otherThe second sister had a deep cut to her hand that needed stitches and will need surgery. (gript.ie)
- otherThe injured passerby needed stitches at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. (gript.ie, thejournal.ie)
- otherAdditional charges could be brought against Alfa. (gript.ie)
- otherThe accused first became known to be in the country in February 2025 with no record of port of entry (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused previously lived in Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe passerby who intervened was struck and stabbed in the head with the bottle. (gript.ie)
- otherOne of the sisters suffered a deep laceration to her hand. (gript.ie)
- otherBail was refused two days after the attack and he was remanded in custody. (gript.ie)
- otherAlfa first became known to be in the country in February 2025 with no record of his port of entry (irishtimes.com)
- otherAlfa was unemployed and later lived in Co Wicklow with no family or ties to the State (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victims were taken by ambulance to Tallaght University Hospital. (gript.ie)
- otherCounsel agreed that sentencing would take about 30 minutes. (gript.ie)
- otherGardaí raised fears that the accused was a flight risk. (gript.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Jun2026Sentence date set for Dame St. glass bottle attacker - Gript
Reports the accused affirmed his signed guilty plea before the Circuit Criminal Court, that sentencing will take about 30 minutes, and that he was remanded in custody to 14 October. Gives the Dame Street location, the weapon and the injuries to the victims.
convicted, Shando Alpha, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alphavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male - 26 May2026Man pleads guilty to stabbing teen sisters with broken bottle after rejecting his advances
Guilty plea entered at Cloverhill District Court; sentencing listed for next month at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Details of the assault, injuries, and Alfa's background provided.
suspect, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male - 26 May2026DAME STREET ATTACK: Somali guilty of stabbing teen girls - Gript
Reports the guilty plea at Cloverhill District Court, the DPP's consent to send the case forward for sentencing to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the remand in custody, and that the case will be listed in June. Adds the name as written in this article (Shando Alfa), the nationality, the garda account of the attack, and the injuries.
convicted, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male - 1 May2026Man pleads guilty to attacking teenage twin sisters with glass bottle on Dublin's Dame Street
Court report on a guilty plea. Sentencing is due at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a date in June. Gives the accused's age, sex and nationality and the charges.
accused, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male - 6 Apr2026Twin sisters stabbed after rejecting man's advances in Dublin, court hears
Contested bail hearing at Dublin District Court detailing injuries, CCTV and phone video evidence, flight risk concerns, and the accused's remand in custody pending DPP directions.
victim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, malesuspect, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfa - 6 Apr2026Man remanded in custody accused of stabbing twin teenage sisters and passerby in Dublin
Bail hearing at Dublin District Court where full details of the stabbing emerged; accused remanded in custody pending DPP directions, with next appearance at Cloverhill District Court.
suspect, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male - 6 Apr2026Teen sisters allegedly stabbed after rejecting advances - Gript
Bail hearing at Dublin District Court: Alfa was charged, refused bail and remanded in custody pending DPP directions. The article adds the court and bail details, the sisters' injuries and the garda's objections to bail.
victim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, maleaccused, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfa - 6 Apr2026Sisters stabbed after rejecting advances, court hears
Adds the bail hearing outcome: bail was refused and Alfa was remanded in custody pending DPP directions. It gives the time of the incident as shortly before 2.30am, the alleged weapon and injuries, the nationality as Somali, and the next court date at Cloverhill District Court. It also says the case is likely to go to the Circuit Court.
victim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, maleaccused, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfa - 1 Apr2026Man charged after twin teenage girls and passer-by stabbed in Dublin city centre
Court bail hearing at Dublin District Court. Adds the charges, the bail refusal, the remand, the injuries to the twins and the passer-by, and the CCTV evidence cited by gardaí. No matching existing case.
accused, Shando Alfa, 27, male, Somali, named, non-irishShando Alfavictim, 18, femalevictim, 18, femalevictim, male