Courts / Dublin / Report
Former soldier jailed for "reasonless" attack on woman with broken bottle
Summary
Christopher O'Reilly, a 60‑year‑old former army private, was sentenced to five years in prison for two separate offences. On 10 June 2010 he attacked a young woman on O'Connell Street with a broken glass bottle, striking her cheek and leaving her bleeding profusely; the victim suffered panic attacks, a loss of confidence, nightmares and a scar that has since faded but remains noticeable. O'Reilly pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. He also pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery on 5 September 2013 at Wolf Tone Quay, where he approached a woman on a Dublin Bus, brandishing a hammer over her head before calmly retreating. The judge, citing the "reasonless attack" and the victim's psychological impact, gave him four years for the assault and two years for the robbery, with the final 12 months suspended. The sentences run consecutively, resulting in a total of five years' imprisonment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former soldier jailed for "reasonless" attack on woman with broken bottle. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm on O'Connell Street, Dublin on June 10, 2010; attempted robbery at Wolf Tone Quay on September 5, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 10, 2010 Incident
- September 5, 2013 Incident
- 2017-11-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing serious harm on O'Connell Street, Dublin on June 10, 2010; attempted robbery at Wolf Tone Quay on September 5, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Greally sentenced him to four years in prison for the assault and two years for the attempted robbery, with the final 12 months suspended.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Rivercourt View
- O'Connell Street
- Dublin
- O'Connell Street
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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