A Romanian man has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged carjacking at Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon.

The owner claims he was attacked before his car was taken, and gardaí say one of their officers was injured during an arrest.

Petricia Lucaci (24) limped into the court room when his name was called this morning. His left eye was also swollen and heavily bruised.

The court heard he was arrested on the Naul Road in Ballymun at around 4pm yesterday.

Just 20 minutes beforehand, a man in his 60s was attacked at Dublin Airport while putting some things into his boot.

His car was stolen and a member of the public was knocked down while trying to stop it from leaving the scene.

A suspect and a responding garda were hospitalised during the arrest - but both were discharged from hospital after being treated for their injuries.

The owner of the stolen car was treated for facial injuries, while the man knocked down at the airport was not hurt.

Mr Lucaci, who does not have an address in Ireland, is charged with stealing the car, assault causing harm and dangerous driving.

There was no application for bail today and Judge Patricia McNamara recommended that he be given whatever medical attention he needs while in custody.

He is due back in court next week for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).