2022-10-13 · Dublin
Violent offender slashed homeless woman in unprovoked attack
Noel Colvin, 45, a homeless man, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and production of an article at Harbour Court, Dublin, on 14 August 2020. He attacked a homeless woman, Natasha Smith, who was standing on a lane‑way off Lower Abbey Street. Colvin approached her, offered cider, then, after she asked him to step back, pulled out a blade and cut her face. She was taken to hospital and received 20 stitches, leaving considerable scarring. Colvin had a history of assault convictions and was suffering from an alcohol addiction. He apologized and a letter of apology was submitted to the court. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment for the assault, taking the production of an article into account. The sentence was imposed at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case remains at the sentencing stage.