Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for convicted killer who threatened to burn down charity worker's home
Summary
Mark Bissett, 31, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making a threat to damage Michael Maher's house. The incident occurred on May 27, 2016, at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street, where Bissett allegedly threatened to burn down Maher's home. Bissett, who previously served a six-year sentence for manslaughter, was reportedly angry that Maher's charity, "You're not alone," was assisting a relative with whom he had fallen out. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions. The judge described the behavior as disgraceful and warned Bissett that he faced two years in prison if he reoffended. She ordered him to stay away from the charity, Mr. Maher, and his home. Bissett has 60 previous convictions, including assault and public order offences. Defense counsel submitted that Bissett had significantly turned his life around and addressed risk factors related to substance misuse. The court noted Bissett remains at high risk of re-offending and ordered him to be brought back before the judge if further trouble arises.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for convicted killer who threatened to burn down charity worker's home. Charges or matters: making a threat to Mr Maher to damage his house intending him to believe it would be carried out at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street on May 27, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 27, 2016 Incident
- Christmas Other
- 2017-06-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: making a threat to Mr Maher to damage his house intending him to believe it would be carried out at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street on May 27, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mark Bissett (31), who served a six year sentence for manslaughter, was angry that the "You're not alone" organisation run by Michael Maher was assisting a relative he had fallen out with. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a two year sentence which she suspended on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dame Street
- Dame Street
- went to Pearse Street Garda Station
- Pearse Street
Topics
Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request