Christopher Coakley jailed for serious harm attack in Dublin

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Christopher Coakley was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to nine years, with the final 12 months suspended for three years, for intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. The proceedings were reported on 19 June 2023.

Coakley pleaded guilty to the serious harm charge. The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped an initial attempted murder charge after the plea.

The attack took place on Seville Place in Dublin’s north inner city on 28 January 2021. Coakley repeatedly stabbed a doctor with scissors while attempting to take his backpack and scooter.

Mr Justice Paul Burns said the attack was premeditated and attracted an 11-year headline sentence. He reduced it after considering Coakley’s guilty plea, apology and drug addiction.

The judge also took into account charges related to producing the scissors and attempted robbery. During the three-year suspension period, Coakley must comply with any medical regimen put in place for him and live under probation service supervision, meeting any requirements it places on him.