Man smashed shop door with vodka bottles and racially abused staff in ‘disgusting' attacks
Alexsandras Bogdanovic (37) insulted an employee about his Asian background in one incident
A data engineer hurled racial abuse at a shop worker and smashed the front door with vodka bottles in 'absolutely disgusting' attacks, a court heard.
Alexsandras Bogdanovic (37) insulted an employee about his Asian background in one incident, then returned days later and caused more than €2,000 to the front door when staff had to shut it to protect themselves and customers from his violence.
Judge Catherine Ghent said his actions were 'utterly unacceptable' and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a probation report.
Bogdanovic, with an address at Santry Lodge, Ballymun Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.
The offences happened at Eurospar, Gulliver's Retail Park, Santry last year.
The first incident was on September 7, when staff told the accused, who was previously barred, to leave. While standing outside, he hurled racial abuse at an employee, 'centring on his Asian background,' a garda said.
On September 13, he entered the store with two bottles of vodka and appeared to be 'seeking out' the security manager. He was still barred and was told to leave, at which he threatened violence.
Bogdanovic's lawyer said her client had alcohol issues and asked the garda if he was easier to deal with when sober
The shop door had to be closed for the protection of staff and customers. Bogdanovic struck the door a number of times with his foot, then threw the glass bottles at it, smashing it. He started fighting with members of the public and when gardaí arrived, he fled on foot but was caught and arrested. His previous convictions included public order offences.
Stock image
News in 90 Seconds - May 20th
Bogdanovic's lawyer said her client had alcohol issues and asked the garda if he was easier to deal with when sober. 'I only ever met him when he was intoxicated,' the garda said.
The accused acknowledged he was 'getting himself into trouble' when he drinks and is seeking help through addiction services.
His alcohol issues started after he was divorced and moved to Ireland to 'seek a better life.' He began drinking which 'led him down a bad path.'
He apologised for his behaviour in both incidents and no longer lived in the area or frequented the shop.
Judge Ghent said there was not just substantial damage to the door, but the shop had to close and must have lost business. It was 'absolutely disgusting' and 'utterly unacceptable' that people who are working hard should get racially abused, she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Revenue seize contraband worth including drugs and weapons worth around €821,000
Revenue officers have seized contraband with an estimated value of €821,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands and Rosslare Europort over the last week. The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included the following: The herbal cannabis and other drugs were discovered, with the assistance of detector dogs Mollaigh, Sam, Enzo and Ciara, whilst Revenue officers were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands. The parcels originated from the USA, the UK and Canada, and were destined for various addresses nationwide. The tobacco and alcohol products were seized in various operations in the Midlands and Rosslare. Twenty-three weapons were also seized in the Midlands. The cash amounts, which totalled €26,170 and £6,000, were seized in three separate operations at Rosslare Europort. Judge Kevin Staunton granted a three-month cash detention order in respect of each seizure at a special sitting of Gorey District Court. The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. The alcohol consisted of wine, beer, whiskey, spirits and unidentified unlabelled alcohol. The tobacco products consisted of 197,000 cigarettes and almost 3kg of tobacco, branded Septwolves, Black Eight, Amber Leaf, Marlboro, Winston, JPS Blue, Rothmans, L&B, and Benson and Hedges The various illicit drugs consisted of cannabis oil, cannabis resin, edibles, reefers, cocaine, suspected MDMA, and numerous Diazapan, Alprazalam and Zopiclone tablets. The counterfeit goods were branded Adidas, Asics, Birkenstock, Boss, , Burberry, Calven Klein, Chanel, On Cloud, Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, New Balance, Nike, Northface, Fendi, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tissot, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Ray-Ban, Stone Island, O'Neills, Coach, and Tiffany. The weapons consisted of smoke bombs, airguns and flares. A spokesperson for Revenue said investigations into all seizures are ongoing. They added: 'These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.'
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Man accused of murdering his mother and producing an axe during alleged attack is sent forward to stand trial
Today at 10:49 A Croatian man has been sent forward to stand trial accused of producing an axe during the course of murdering his mother in her midlands home five months ago. Thirty-two-year-old Nebojsa Pap, of Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, was brought before a sitting of Athlone District Court this afternoon where he was served with a book of evidence in connection to the murder of Mirjana Pap at the same address as her son on December 28 last year.
The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Security guard jailed for sexual assault of woman travelling to concert on Luas
A SECURITY GUARD has been jailed for eight months for the broad daylight sexual assault of a woman aboard a crowded Luas last year. Abdiweli Ali, 24, was handed the sentence in Dublin District Court today. The court heard that the assault happened as the woman and her friend travelled in broad daylight to the 3Arena for a Smashing Pumpkins concert on 10 June 2024. Describing it as an 'appalling offence', Judge Gráinne Malone stated she had to ensure women could travel safely on public transport without being violated in this way, and there had to be a deterrent. Ali, from Somalia, came to Ireland in 2020, claiming he fled from terrorist groups. He denied the allegation for a year and changed his plea shortly before his trial was due to start. Garda Colm Maguire played CCTV footage of the assault in court, and described how Ali and the victim, in her late twenties, boarded the tram at the Bus Aras Luas stop at 7.20pm. It was busy, and Ali stood behind her for the eight-minute trip. 'At one point during the journey, the injured party felt something wet on the back of her leg but didn't have enough room to check what it actually was while on the Luas,' Maguire said. 'On arrival at The Point Luas stop with her friend, she check her skirt and found what she suspected to be semen on her skirt.' Ali also got off the luas, and ran to a taxi to take him to work. She reported it to gardaí in the area, and her skirt was later sent for forensic examination, confirming her suspicion. A large amount of CCTV was gathered during the investigation, and the accused was the only male identified as a suspect. Maguire spotted Ali on 27 June at O'Connell Street and recognised him from the video footage, wearing the same clothes. He was arrested and questioned but made no admissions, insisting it was not him on the CCTV of the Luas. However, a DNA sample from Ali matched the sample from the skirt. Maguire said it was 'a thousand million times more likely that it came from the accused than any other person'. Pictures of the stained skirt were handed into court. The garda agreed with defence counsel Rory Mulvaney that it was an isolated incident. The court heard Ali had no prior convictions, but had been given a strike-out for obstruction of a garda after donating money to charity last year. Advertisement Prosecutor Derek Mangan outlined how the State had been ready to bring 10 witnesses to testify after Ali maintained his denials for a year. He also said the victim wished to address the court. In a powerful impact statement, she said, 'My life has changed completely since that day. I feel disgusted and utterly violated.' She recalled how he was heading to the concert with her friend. 'We were not talking to men or wearing anything provocative. I was just going on the Luas with my friend, as I have on many different occasions. 'I thought I had no reason to doubt my safety as I was in a public space on a busy Luas in broad daylight. Now, I can't make any plans without having to consider the safety of every part of the plan.' 'Any sense of safety I had has been taken away,' she said, adding that she has been attending counselling costing €80 per session. She opened up about how preparing for the trial and the possibility of giving evidence left her 're-traumatised again and again over the last year, replaying the assault and preparing to be questioned.' 'As a woman, I have always been wary of drunk men, rowdy men and creepy men. Now I am wary of every man and even every person. Any sense of safety I had has been taken away. Every part of my life is different now.' All her decisions are now influenced by her encounter on the Luas, which led her to change her habits. 'I can't stand at a traffic light with someone waiting behind me without having to move because it makes me feel so anxious.' 'When I'm in a crowded room, I need to have my back to the wall if I'm standing, and if I'm sitting down, I feel the need to have my chair facing the room so that no one can pass behind me.' It also significantly affected her professional and personal life. The court heard she had taken numerous weeks off work due to anxiety and stress. She avoids public transport, does not walk to work anymore, relies on taxis or lifts, and often questions her clothing choices, terrified she might attract 'unwanted attention.' 'I have been forever changed by this assault,' she stated, but concluded her statement by expressing hope that someday she could go about her daily life without overwhelming anxiety. Mulvany told the judge that his client, who did not address the court and could not explain his actions, was ashamed and recognised the distress caused. Ali offered an 'unreserved apology' through the barrister. The court heard Ali claimed he came to Ireland five years ago to avoid 'various terrorist gangs trying to recruit young people into their organisations.' He was allowed to stay, trained and obtained a security guard's license. Ali worked in that role for two years and was posted at an IPAS centre until this allegation came to light. Sentencing, Judge Malone said jurisdiction had been accepted earlier by another judge for the case to remain in the District Court, which could impose a maximum of one year's imprisonment. Taking into account the guilty plea, she suspended the final two months on condition Ali did not reoffend for two years. She praised the victim for coming forward, which will protect others from Ali, and she commended the garda investigation.
