Courts / Dublin / Report

Sister tells court she forgives brother who stabbed her

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 20 July 2017, the court considered the case of Colm O'Hara, 49, who stabbed his older sister, Miriam O'Hara, on 23 June 2016 at her home on Edenmore Green, Raheny. O'Hara, who had no fixed abode and was suffering from mental health issues, had stopped taking his medication on the day of the attack. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The court heard that he had become agitated, grabbed a knife from a kitchen counter, and lunged at his sister, stabbing her in the back and later cutting her arm and wrist. Miriam O'Hara, who had been in fear of her life, later told the court that she had forgiven her brother and felt no animosity toward him. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing the victim impact statement, suspended a two‑year sentence on the condition that O'Hara keep the peace and continue his medication.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sister tells court she forgives brother who stabbed her. Charges or matters: assault of Miriam O'Hara causing her harm at her home on Edenmore Green, Raheny, Dublin on June 23, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 23, 2016 Incident
• 2017-07-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

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'

Read the original CNI report