Ukrainian National Awaiting Sentencing After Stabbing Incident at Clare Direct Provision Centre

Ennis | May 28, 2025 — A 61-year-old Ukrainian national, Petro Drima, is facing sentencing following a serious stabbing incident at a direct provision centre in north Clare, a court has heard. Drima, who has four sons currently engaged in combat against Russian forces in Ukraine, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after stabbing a fellow Ukrainian resident during a dispute at the Burren Hostel in Lisdoonvarna on November 28, 2023.

The Ennis Circuit Court was told that the altercation began when Mr. Oleksandr Lozyuk, the victim, refused to hand over the key to his private room. At the time, Mr. Drima, who was in shared accommodation, sought access to the room while accompanied by a woman. The refusal led to a confrontation, which escalated into violence.

Judge Francis Comerford, presiding over the case, described the incident as a serious offence, noting that Mr. Lozyuk had attempted to disengage from the dispute before being stabbed from behind. “The injury is not insignificant,” the judge observed, referencing the 5cm-wide and 3cm-deep stab wound sustained by Mr. Lozyuk.

Judge Comerford said the case had crossed the custodial threshold due to the gravity of the offence. He adjourned sentencing until May 30, pending the results of a psychiatric evaluation of Mr. Drima, and extended his bail in the meantime.

In testimony, Garda Brion Dolan stated that the incident unfolded while Mr. Lozyuk was preparing food in the hostel’s kitchen. After the initial argument over the room key, Mr. Drima allegedly followed Mr. Lozyuk and stabbed him as he ascended a staircase.

The court heard that Drima expressed animosity toward the victim during Garda interviews. It was further revealed that the two men had previously shared a room, but Mr. Lozyuk was later moved to a private space due to disturbances caused by snoring and behavioural issues.

Drima, who formerly ran an agriculture business in Kherson, Ukraine, had been working as a farm labourer in north Clare at the time of the incident. He had arrived in Ireland in the summer of 2023 after being discharged from the Ukrainian army upon reaching the age of 60.

The court was also informed of Drima’s criminal record in Russia, where he served an eight-and-a-half-year sentence for theft and robbery in Belgorod. He was released in 2016. However, his counsel, Patrick Whyms BL, instructed by solicitor Tara Godfrey, told the court that Drima disputes the conviction, claiming it was politically motivated due to his Ukrainian nationality.

Mr. Whyms also spoke of the psychological burden carried by Drima, whose family remains on the frontlines in Ukraine. During Garda questioning, Drima reportedly said he had been overwhelmed by thoughts of his family, the ongoing war, and the trauma of his past.

The court will reconvene on May 30 to determine a date for sentencing, following the completion of the psychiatric report.