Courts / Dublin / Report
Six-year sentence for teen who stabbed Luas passenger in "bizarre" attack
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Ross Behan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, attempted robbery and possession of a knife after stabbing a Brazilian man on a Luas tram on 6 May. The victim, who had tried to defend himself with a fake taser, suffered a one‑inch laceration and was taken to St James's Hospital. Behan also pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a house in Inchicore and stealing two cars, which he crashed and abandoned. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final three years, and ordered drug treatment on release. Behan had 27 prior convictions, including burglary and theft, and had pleaded guilty to the earlier offences. The court heard he was on drugs at the time of the attacks and that his childhood was marked by hardship. The judge noted that a prolonged incarceration would not best serve the community.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Six-year sentence for teen who stabbed Luas passenger in "bizarre" attack. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to the man who was on his way to work; attempted robbery and possession of a knife; breaking and entering a house in Inchicore between June 28 and 29 last year and stealing two cars. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 6 Incident
- June 28 Incident
- 2016-12-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to the man who was on his way to work; attempted robbery and possession of a knife; breaking and entering a house in Inchicore between June 28 and 29 last year and stealing two cars (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally described Behan's behaviour in the attack as "bizarre and threatening" before she imposed consecutive sentences totalling six years and suspended the final three years of the term.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Benmadigan Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- St James's Hospital
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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