Man who fled to UK is jailed over violent 2009 knife attack

A man from Dublin has been imprisoned for his involvement in a serious knife attack that occurred on Dame Street in April 2009. Patrick Carter pleaded guilty to assault causing harm but absconded before sentencing, subsequently fleeing to the United Kingdom. He was later extradited to Ireland following his release from a UK prison sentence for aggravated burglary. The victim sustained a severe facial laceration requiring stitches, leaving a permanent four-inch scar. Detective Gardaí witnessed the assault unfold outside a restaurant, observing the attackers pin the victim against seating while striking him repeatedly. A blade was used to inflict multiple cuts across the victim's face. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 13 July 2020, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspending the final nine months on condition that Carter pay €2,000 compensation to the victim and maintain good behaviour. The judge noted that Carter's eleven-year absence was an attempt to evade justice and stated that no one should benefit from wrongdoing. The sentence was backdated to 19 June 2020.