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"A disgusting crime": man who threatened social worker he would get "the virus" from his blood avoids jail

Date
2018-02-22
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Joseph Mulraney, a 54-year-old man from Kimmage, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for false imprisonment and threatening to spray blood at Our Ladies Hospice in Harolds Cross on April 18, 2017. Mulraney pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that the defendant, who was distressed about his partner's stay at the hospice, confronted a social worker, cut his hand with a razor blade, and threatened to transmit "the virus" via his blood. He also rubbed blood on office surfaces. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as a "fairly insidious and disgusting crime," noting the significant impact on the victim. However, the judge acknowledged Mulraney's guilty plea, remorse, and the fact that he had no intention of stabbing the worker. Considering the defendant's minor previous convictions from the 1980s and his current circumstances, Judge Nolan imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, which was suspended in full. The matter was concluded with this suspended sentence, meaning Mulraney avoided immediate custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "A disgusting crime": man who threatened social worker he would get "the virus" from his blood avoids jail. Charges or matters: false imprisonment and threatening to spray blood at Our Ladies Hospice, Harolds Cross, Dublin on April 18, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed 54-year-old

Defendant

Charges: false imprisonment and threatening to spray blood at Our Ladies Hospice, Harolds Cross, Dublin on April 18, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Nolan imposed a three and a half year sentence which he suspended in full.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
  • Sundrive Road
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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