Courts / Dublin / Report
No jail for man caught by gardai during blade attack
Summary
Darren Gallagher, 46, was caught by Garda Dominic Downing after slashing the cheek of an acquaintance with a Stanley blade outside a supermarket at 4 pm on 22 August 2016. The victim, known to Gardaí, was left with a cut that had since healed but left a scar. Gallagher was stopped minutes later, a knife found in his tracksuit, and he later claimed the victim had threatened him and his family. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He has three prior convictions for minor offences and had not been in Garda attention since 1990. At the original hearing Judge Karen O'Connor had adjourned the case for a probation report. She noted a positive report and a letter from the Matt Talbot Community Trust. Considering his age, personal circumstances, rehabilitation efforts and the fact his prior convictions were non‑violent, she imposed a three‑year suspended sentence in very unusual circumstances. The sentence was suspended, with no custodial term imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: No jail for man caught by gardai during blade attack. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to the man on Neilstown Road, Clondalkin, on August 22, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 22, 2016 Incident
- 2017-12-05 Publication
Why: He accepted that the victim was "known to gardaí" and he wasn't refusing to co-operate with the investigation because he was in fear of Gallagher. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to the man on Neilstown Road, Clondalkin, on August 22, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said in "very unusual circumstances" she was going to impose a three year suspended sentence.; She had adjourned the case to allow a probation report be prepared .
Places mentioned
Topics
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