A London-based mohel has been denied bail following allegations of traveling to Ireland to perform an unauthorized circumcision on a child.
R’ Yonason Abraham, 47, was apprehended on Tuesday and brought before Judge Michael Connellan at Dublin District Court on Thursday. He is charged with performing a bris on a boy at a Dublin 15 address without being a registered medical practitioner.
Detective Garda Megan Furey informed the court that Rabbi Abraham did not respond when charged at Blanchardstown Garda station. She opposed bail due to the gravity of the charges. The detective explained that the offense, violating the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, carries a potential maximum fine of €130,000 and up to five years in prison.
According to Det Garda Furey, gardaí entered a Dublin 15 residence shortly after 1 pm on Tuesday with the homeowners’ permission and found the accused “dressed in a white robe, a doctor-style coat, with blue gloves and a scalpel in his hand.” The court was told there was a table in the center of the room equipped with a changing pad, scissors, and other medical instruments.

She stated that gardaí “observed a very young child on the changing pad naked” and confirmed that another child had already undergone a bris.
Det Garda Furey mentioned that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and additional charges are anticipated. She expressed concerns about a “significant flight risk” since Rabbi Abraham, a father of ten, has no connections to Ireland and has the means to flee.
During cross-examination by defense solicitor Tertius Van Eeden, the detective conceded that the penalties might be less severe if the DPP decided to keep the case in the District Court. He argued that it was premature to assume the case would escalate to a higher court, but Det Garda Furey disagreed.
The detective acknowledged that Rabbi Abraham did not claim to be a doctor and recognized that he is a rabbi.
The solicitor highlighted that Rabbi Abraham is a member of the Initiation Society, which oversees Jewish circumcision practices. Mr. Van Eeden noted his client is a certified mohel. The detective confirmed awareness of this and indicated that further inquiries were underway.
In his plea for bail, Mr. Van Eeden emphasized that his client has been trained and insured to perform circumcisions for over 13 years. He argued that the same procedure would have been legal if done in England. However, the judge reminded that Ireland operates under a different jurisdiction.
Judge Connellan denied bail and ordered that the accused be held in custody while awaiting directions from the DPP. Rabbi Abraham is scheduled to appear at Cloverhill District Court on August 6th.
{Matzav.com}