Courts / Dublin / Report

Stabbed father's children "witnessed something that no child should ever see", court hears

Date
2018-12-14

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the partner of a father-of-six who was stabbed by a lifelong friend recounted the traumatic impact on her children, who witnessed their father lying in a garden covered in blood as emergency services attempted to save him. The partner, aged 50, described her life being shattered, her anxiety, panic attacks, and nightmares after the incident. She noted that her children, aged three to ten at the time, no longer feel the same bright, bubbly energy they had before, having seen their father's death. The court heard that the victim, Mark Richardson, was stabbed in the chest by Paul Keating, who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Keating was remanded in custody until his sentencing. The partner's testimony highlighted the profound emotional damage to her family and the loss of a male role model for her children.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Stabbed father's children "witnessed something that no child should ever see", court hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Richardson on March 16, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted

When:

October 16 Hearing Or Sentence
March 16, 2017 Other
March 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
March 16 Other
March 17 Incident
March 18, 2017 Incident
January 25 Adjournment
2018-12-14 Publication

Case subjects

Paul Keating

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Richardson on March 16, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Paul Keating's sentence hearing. Mr Justice Robert Eagar remanded Keating in custody until January 25, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Robert Eagar remanded Keating in custody until January 25, when he will be sentenced.