Courts / Dublin / Report
Elderly man said it was his intention to kill estranged wife
Summary
Anthony O'Connor, aged 74, burst into his estranged wife Phyllis O'Connor's home on 19 July 2016, shouting "surprise" and launching a sustained assault. He threatened her with death, saying "You are going tonight and I'll go with you" and "If I don't get you someone else will. You'll get a bullet in the head." Neighbours heard her screams and dragged him away, preventing a fatal outcome. O'Connor pleaded guilty to assault and threat of murder at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He received a three‑year suspended sentence, with the full term suspended on the condition he remain in a sanctioned nursing home, continue medication, and have no contact with his wife. He is currently in a Dublin nursing home receiving psychiatric care for bipolar disorder, and his wife has secured a barring order against him. The judge noted the assault occurred during divorce proceedings and that O'Connor had no prior convictions or history of mistreatment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Elderly man said it was his intention to kill estranged wife. Charges or matters: assaulting Phyllis O'Connor causing her harm and threatening to kill her at Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin on July 19 2016. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- July 19 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-02-07 Publication
Why: He was drinking in the pub later getting more and more angry because she was in the marital home and he was homeless. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting Phyllis O'Connor causing her harm and threatening to kill her at Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin on July 19 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime
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