Courts / Dublin / Report
Mum-of-five avoids jail over emergency accomodation chisel attack
Summary
Lisa Blake, 38, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Michelle Lowry on 30 July 2013 while staying in emergency accommodation at the Regency Hotel, Drumcondra. Blake used a chisel to strike Lowry, who now bears a permanent scar on her nose. Blake had no prior convictions and had previously lived in her own home before losing it due to the economic downturn and heroin addiction. In a victim impact report, Lowry expressed sympathy for Blake's circumstances. Judge Elma Sheahan described the assault as unprovoked and noted Blake's apology and the likelihood that she would not return to court. Blake received an 18‑month suspended sentence, was ordered to engage with probation services, drug treatment and work programmes, and was required to stay with her former partner and children. The court also heard that Blake had been drinking and that the alcohol interacted poorly with her medication.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mum-of-five avoids jail over emergency accomodation chisel attack. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Michelle Lowry at the hotel on July 30, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 30, 2013 Incident
- 2016-10-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Michelle Lowry at the hotel on July 30, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At an earlier sentence hearing Fiona Murphy BL, defending, said that up to ten years ago Blake had been living in her own home and was living a very respectable life. Garda James Woods told the earlier sentence hearing that Blake went into the victim's room and hit and kicked while repeatedly screaming "you're a rat" at her.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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