Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless woman inflicted "horrific slash wound" on man who came to her aid

Date
2018-07-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin street incident, 23‑year‑old Donna Dineen, a homeless woman who had recently given birth in custody, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after slashing a stranger's stomach with a 25‑cm wound. The victim, Saurjan Syergaz, was found bleeding from Dorset Street to St Benedict's Gardens and later underwent surgery. Dineen claimed self‑defence, stating the man had pulled a knife on her, but she also admitted to robbing his wallet. The court noted her 17 prior convictions and her history of abuse and addiction. While her defence sought a suspended sentence to allow her to keep her infant son for 18 months, Judge Melanie Greally rejected this, citing the severity of the wound. Dineen remains in custody, with sentencing postponed to November pending further reports. The co‑accused remains unnamed as his case is still before the courts.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless woman inflicted "horrific slash wound" on man who came to her aid. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at St Benedict's Gardens, North Circular Road on May 8, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 8, 2017 Incident
2018-07-19 Publication

Why: When arrested, Dineen accepted that she had been asked to leave the Mater Hospital because she was being too aggressive. CNI source report

Case subjects

Donna Dineen

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm at St Benedict's Gardens, North Circular Road on May 8, 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Carol Doherty BL, defending, asked the court to consider a suspended sentence so Dineen could attend a rehabilitation centre where she would be able to keep her baby with her for a further 18 months.; However, the judge remanded Dineen in continuing custody and adjourned sentencing until November to allow for an updated probation report and governor's report.