Courts / Dublin / Report

South Dublin teenager goes on trial for attempted murder

Date
2013-11-21

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin court, 18‑year‑old Tadhg Costello pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault causing harm and unlawful knife possession after stabbing Josh Leahy, also 18, at Johnson's Court on 31 May 2012. CCTV of the altercation was shown to the jury. Prosecutor Paul Burns argued that Costello, aged 17 at the time, stabbed Leahy in the back during a confrontation that began after a nightclub visit on 30 May. Leahy testified he was attacked by a group, stabbed seven times, and suffered a punctured lung. Witnesses, including Emmanuel Mihaylov and Garda Philip Gleeson, identified Costello as the knife‑bearing assailant. Costello denied involvement, claiming he had swapped clothing and did not throw the knife. The trial proceeded before a jury of eight women and four men under Mr Justice Paul Butler.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: South Dublin teenager goes on trial for attempted murder. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of Josh Leahy (18) at Johnson's Court in Dublin city on May 31, 2012; assault causing harm to Mr Leahy and unlawful possession of a knife on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 31, 2012 Incident
May 31 Incident
May 30 Incident
2013-11-21 Publication

Why: Mr Leahy said he got into the nightclub by using his friend's ID because he was four years older than him. CNI source report

Case subjects

Tadhg Costello

Defendant

Charges: the attempted murder of Josh Leahy (18) at Johnson's Court in Dublin city on May 31, 2012; assault causing harm to Mr Leahy and unlawful possession of a knife on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty