A man who was already out on bail allegedly doused three fellow patients with petrol before setting one of them alight inside one of Sydney’s busiest hospitals, a court has heard.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, remains under police guard at Prince of Wales Hospital after Tuesday night’s alleged attack.
He has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, common assault, and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent, or attempted grievous bodily harm.
Dungay did not appear at a bail hearing on Thursday, and no application for his release was made.
The court heard he had previously been granted bail to remain at the hospital while facing separate charges linked to an alleged aggravated break-in and robbery in Redfern.
Bail was formally refused, meaning Dungay will remain in hospital under a detention order.
His case was adjourned and is due to return to court on December 8.
Police were called to the hospital in Randwick, in Sydney’s east, at about 10.45pm on Tuesday after reports raised concerns about a patient’s welfare.
Raymond James Dungay, 48, (pictured) was charged with two counts of attempted murder, common assault, and two counts of cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent
Randovan Banic, 54, remains in intensive care after he was allegedly doused in petrol and set alight on Tuesday night
Dungay allegedly poured petrol from a drink bottle over two men, aged 54 and 63, and a 64-year-old woman in the spinal injury unit.
His cigarette lighter allegedly failed to ignite until he reached Randovan Banic, 54, who suffered severe burns to his face and upper body. The injuries came on top of spinal damage he had previously sustained in a workplace incident.
Mr Banic was taken to intensive care, where he remains in a stable condition.
He said he could smell petrol after it was allegedly poured over him, before the accused patient “lit me up”.
“He’s (allegedly) come towards me, and then all of a sudden … he douses me with petrol,” he told Nine News.
“I could just smell petrol all over my hair, my eyebrows, smoke in my eyes, just everything.
“I’ve just been pumping water into my eyes.”
Mr Banic said he believed the alleged hospital attack could have been prevented, claiming the security guard assigned to the ward was asleep at the time.
CONTINUE READING: Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rain and Dangerous Winds to the Northeast Before First Major Fall Freeze
Randovan Banic was one of the patients allegedly doused in petrol before he was set alight
“I’m glad it happened to me, and it didn’t happen to the other two because they wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
‘One million per cent, it could have been prevented.
‘That shouldn’t happen in a hospital.’
Mr Banic insists he is in good spirits, despite flashbacks of his ordeal.
The two other patients were treated for minor injuries and remain in a stable condition.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park has requested an urgent department review into the alleged incident.
‘We’re dealing with a very, very shocking incident that frightened staff, no doubt frightened other patients and has caused chaos in one of Sydney’s busiest hospitals,’ he said.
‘This could have been completely catastrophic, and serious as it was, it could have been a lot, lot worse.’
An urgent review into the alleged attack at Prince of Wales Hospital is underway
Raymond Dungay remains in Prince of Eales Hospital under police guard
The minister also wants Dungay discharged from the hospital as soon as he is well enough and transferred to police custody.
Opposition health spokesperson Sarah Mitchell described the alleged incident as ‘beyond unacceptable’.
‘Safety must be a non-negotiable in our public hospitals,’ she said.
It’s the third violent attack at a Sydney hospital this year – and the second at Prince of Wales Hospital, where a man allegedly attacked six other people and broke a nurse’s leg in April.
Days earlier, a woman allegedly attacked a patient with a hammer at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
A South Eastern Sydney Local Health District spokesperson said there was no ongoing risk to patients and staff, and that support is being offered to everyone affected.
Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com.au.