Two men arrested after alleged knife fight on Dublin Bus on Navan Road
A 63-year-old Dublin Bus driver was struck in the back of the head with a 12-inch metal article and punched from behind while walking home after his shift on Beresford Place near the Custom House at about 2pm on Tuesday 19 August 2025, in what was described as a random and unprovoked attack. Separately, two men allegedly broke into a knife fight on board the 38a bus on Navan Road on Wednesday afternoon 20 August 2025, leaving the bus covered in blood on both decks. The accused, Ionut Christian Biraz, a 39-year-old Romanian national of no fixed address who arrived in Ireland three months ago, was arrested with pepper spray used and charged with assault causing harm to the driver and producing a weapon. He was refused bail at Dublin District Court on Wednesday 20 August 2025, with the case recommended to proceed to the Circuit Court. He was granted legal aid, directed to get medical attention in custody, and will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested20 Aug
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Aug
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A 63-year-old Dublin Bus driver was struck in the back of the head with a 12-inch metal article and punched from behind while walking home after his shift.
- Two men allegedly broke into a knife fight on board the 38a bus on Navan Road, leaving the bus covered in blood on both decks.
- The accused, Ionut Christian Biraz, is a 39-year-old Romanian national of no fixed address who arrived in Ireland three months ago.
- Where
- The driver was attacked on Beresford Place near the Custom House in Dublin city centre, and the bus incident occurred on Navan Road.
- When
- The driver was attacked at about 2pm on Tuesday 19 August 2025, and the bus incident took place on Wednesday afternoon 20 August 2025.
- Investigation
- Gardaí used pepper spray to arrest the accused, who was taken in near the Halfway House pub after getting off the bus, and the metal article was seized.
- Charges
- Biraz was charged with assault causing harm to the 63-year-old driver and with producing a weapon during the incident.
- In court
- He was refused bail at Dublin District Court on 20 August 2025, with Judge Brennan citing concerns about flight risk, lack of ties to the State, seriousness of the case, and public safety.
- The case is recommended to proceed to the Circuit Court, and DPP directions must be obtained with a possible additional charge.
- He was granted legal aid, directed to get medical attention in custody, and will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.
- Other details
- The defence said the accused has no means after losing his job due to having no PPS number.
- The attack was described as random and unprovoked, and the driver suffered swelling to his head and neck and significant emotional distress.
27 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe driver was struck in the back of the head with a metal article 12 inches in length from behind (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe driver was punched again to the back of his head from behind, causing him to fall to the ground (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe attack was described as random and unprovoked (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe driver was walking home after his shift when attacked (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused is a 39-year-old Romanian national of no fixed address who arrived in Ireland three months ago (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe driver suffered swelling to his head and neck and significant emotional distress (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo men allegedly broke out into a knife fight on board the 38a bus on Navan Road in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFootage showed the bus covered in blood with seats, stairs, and floor drenched in red. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoth upstairs and downstairs of the bus were covered in blood stains. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAn injured man with a blood-covered face was seen walking away from the bus. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place on Beresford Place, near the Custom House, in Dublin city centre (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at about 2pm on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí had to use pepper spray to arrest the accused (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe metal article used to strike the driver was seized (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were called to the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe alleged individuals involved were arrested near the Halfway House pub after getting off the bus. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí have been contacted for comment. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with assault causing harm to the 63-year-old driver (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe was also charged with producing a weapon during the incident (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe was refused bail after appearing before Judge Brennan at Dublin District Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtDPP directions must be obtained and an additional charge could be brought (irishtimes.com)
- courtIt will be recommended that the case proceed to the Circuit Court (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brennan did not accept the accused was a flight risk but refused bail on other grounds (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused was granted legal aid and directed to get medical attention in custody (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence said the accused has no means after losing his job due to having no PPS number (irishtimes.com)
- otherSeveral people were on the street at the time of the attack (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Aug2025Dublin Bus covered in blood after alleged stabbing as shocking footage emerges
Initial report of the stabbing and arrests; footage of the blood-covered bus emerged showing both decks drenched in blood.
suspect, malesuspect, malevictim, male - 20 Aug2025Dublin Bus driver beaten with metal object during ‘random’ daylight attack, court hears
Bail hearing details including the nature of the attack, the 12-inch metal weapon used, the court's reasoning for refusing bail, and the recommendation to proceed to Circuit Court.
victim, 63, malesuspect, Ionut Christian Biraz, 39, male, Romanian, named, non-irishIonut Christian Biraz