Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man acquitted of murder but found guilty of stabbing

Date
2019-05-16

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Gary Watson, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assaulting Philip Woodcock and for producing a knife on 16 January 2010. Watson was acquitted of the murder of former soldier Warren O'Connor, who died from a stab wound that night. The Central Criminal Court heard that a noisy house party in Donaghmede led to a fight between two groups of men. Watson, who had a knife and was "prepared to use it", stabbed Woodcock in the shoulder after Woodcock had earlier punched him. The judge noted Watson had been subjected to "extreme provocation" and that Woodcock had acted "very badly". Watson's sentence of three years for each offence runs concurrently and was back‑dated to 18 December 2017. The court also directed compensation to Woodcock for the assault. The case was heard by Mr Justice Michael White. Gary Watson pleaded not guilty and was convicted.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man acquitted of murder but found guilty of stabbing. Charges or matters: that charge and all the verdicts were unanimous. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

January 16, 2010 Incident
December 18, 2017 Incident
December 2017 Incident
2019-05-16 Publication

Case subjects

Gary Watson

Convicted Person

Charges: that charge and all the verdicts were unanimous (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Watson was sentenced to three years in prison for the assault causing harm charge and three years for production of the knife.