A 32-year-old construction worker, Marius Lacatus, has been charged with sexually assaulting and threatening to kill a woman in Dublin. The alleged attack occurred yesterday morning as the victim, a woman from Eastern Europe, was walking to her first day at a new job in the city’s docklands.
Lacatus, a Romanian national with no fixed address, faces charges of sexual assault and assault causing harm. He was arrested by Gardaí at Store Street station last night and charged at 11:13 p.m. He made no reply to the charges after caution.
Garda Sean Dineen, who objected to bail, described the evidence as “compelling.” According to Gardaí, the woman reported being dragged from the street into a nearby park by an unknown male. During the assault, the attacker allegedly forced her to the ground, opened her trousers, and touched her under her underwear while threatening to kill her. The attack was interrupted by a passer-by, and the assailant fled.
The woman suffered facial injuries and significant muscle damage from being strangled. Gardaí found Lacatus hiding in a hedge near the scene with his trousers open. He was intoxicated at the time, which led to the suspension of his interview during detention.
CCTV footage reportedly shows Lacatus following the woman from Connolly Station to the scene of the assault. DNA evidence was collected from both Lacatus and the victim. The DPP’s directions are still pending, and further severe charges may be brought.
Defence solicitor Paddy McGarry applied for bail, noting that Lacatus has been in Ireland since 2021 with family members who could offer a cash surety. McGarry argued that Lacatus was presumed innocent and that the case could be prolonged.
Judge Brennan acknowledged the prosecution’s concerns but decided that the evidence did not sufficiently prove Lacatus would evade justice if granted bail. The judge set bail at €500, with an additional €3,000 independent surety, under strict conditions. Lacatus must sign in daily at a Garda station, adhere to a curfew between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., be reachable by phone, provide an address for Garda approval, and surrender all travel documents within 24 hours of release.
Lacatus was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is due to appear in Cloverhill District Court on August 27. Free legal aid was granted after McGarry indicated that Lacatus, a part-time labourer, may have lost his job.
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