Courts / Dublin / Report

Injured party stabbed six times in the back, jury hears

Date
2013-11-22

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

The trial of 18‑year‑old Tadhg Costello, accused of attempting to murder fellow teenager Josh Leahy, is ongoing at Johnson's Court and the Central Criminal Court. Costello pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault causing harm, and unlawful possession of a knife. Evidence presented by consultant cardio‑thoracic surgeon Paul Burns SC described Leahy's injuries: six stab wounds to the back, a chest drain inserted and removed within a day, and discharge from St James's Hospital on 2 June 2012. Gardaí accounts detail a fight on Grafton Street on 31 May 2012, with Garda Michael O'Shea and others observing a group of men, a knife thrown behind railings, and subsequent recovery by Garda Mark Eccles. Witnesses, including Emmanuel Mihaylov, identified Costello as the knife‑holder. The case remains in legal argument before Justice Paul Butler.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Injured party stabbed six times in the back, jury hears. 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: charge_or_pretrial

When:

May 31, 2012 Incident
May 31 2012 Incident
June 1, 2012 Other
June 2 Other
May 31 Other
2013-11-22 Publication

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