Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for schizophrenic man who punched passing pensioner off bicycle

Date
2017-03-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Crumlin

County
Dublin

Summary

Ruzmond Muwaniri, a 27‑year‑old Zimbabwean man with schizophrenia, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for two separate assaults in March and May 2015. The first involved punching a 67‑year‑old pensioner off his bicycle on Cheeverstown Road, Tallaght, causing the victim to lose consciousness and suffer a broken eye socket, cuts and bruises. The second assault was a punch to the face of a man named Aidan Green, breaking his top front teeth; Muwaniri claimed he believed Green was racially abusing him. Muwaniri had missed several medication appointments before the incidents. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a total sentence of 42 months, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including regular psychiatric treatment and adherence to prescribed medication. He has 60 prior convictions, including a 2013 two‑year sentence for assaulting his partner. The court noted his history of missed medication appointments and the need for multidisciplinary support upon release. Ruzmond Muwaniri pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for schizophrenic man who punched passing pensioner off bicycle. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to the two men at separate locations on March 9, 2015 and on May 21, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 9, 2015 Incident
May 21, 2015 Incident
2017-03-14 Publication

Why: Ruzmond Muwaniri (27) was also sentenced for a separate assault for punching a man in the face and smashing his teeth because he mistakenly believed the victim was racially abusing him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ruzmond Muwaniri

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing harm to the two men at separate locations on March 9, 2015 and on May 21, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ruzmond Muwaniri (27) was also sentenced for a separate assault for punching a man in the face and smashing his teeth because he mistakenly believed the victim was racially abusing him. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a total sentence of three and a half years but said she was willing to suspended a substantial portion if Muwaniri agreed to keep receiving psychiatric treatment while in prison.