Courts / Dublin / Report

"I am facing life anyway": Murderer held "shiv" to his barrister's throat in escape attempt

Date
2018-05-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Ducque, 34, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for the 2014 killing of Kieran Farrelly, was sentenced to eight years for an escape attempt on 8 June 2017. While in a Dublin courthouse cell, he concealed a jagged perspex "shiv" in his trousers and threatened his female barrister, demanding release or she would be killed. He used her as leverage, grabbing her from behind and placing the weapon against her throat, then shouted at prison officers to drop the shiv. A violent struggle ensued, during which Ducque tried to stab an officer and bite another. Two officers and two gardai were injured; all suffered stress and trauma. The barrister, who had been discussing the case with him, escaped the cell and later gave a victim impact statement detailing panic attacks, nightmares and lasting fear. Sean Ducque pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "I am facing life anyway": Murderer held "shiv" to his barrister's throat in escape attempt. Charges or matters: assaulting the victim, falsely imprisoning her and making a threat to kill her in a cell at a District Court in Dublin on June 8, 2017; assaulting three prison officers causing them harm and attempting to escape from lawful custody on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
26th October 2014 Incident
May 2016 Incident
June 8, 2017 Incident
2018-05-18 Publication

Case subjects

Sean Ducque

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting the victim, falsely imprisoning her and making a threat to kill her in a cell at a District Court in Dublin on June 8, 2017; assaulting three prison officers causing them harm and attempting to escape from lawful custody on the same occasion (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today's sentence is consecutive to a five year term he is currently serving for assault with intent to commit unlawful seizure of a taxi, imposed in May 2016. She imposed concurrent sentences totalling eight years to be served consecutive to his current term.