Courts / Cork / Report
Probation for mother-of-two who tried to stab woman during row
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Serena O'Leary, 44, was granted a 12‑month probation bond and will be sentenced in June 2020. She pleaded guilty to assaulting Caroline Madden on 20 August 2016, after a confrontation at a mutual friend's house. O'Leary, who had previously been in a relationship that involved drug use and homelessness, produced a nine‑inch blade and threatened Madden, who managed to stop the stabbing attempt. O'Leary punched Madden in the face and continued to threaten her until Madden's brother intervened. The court noted O'Leary's nine prior convictions and her recent efforts to stabilise herself in Cork. Judge Melanie Greally ordered O'Leary to comply with probation directions, including drug counselling, accommodation and employment services, and adjourned sentencing to 10 June 2020. The knife did not inflict injuries, and the victim reported regaining confidence and normalcy.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Probation for mother-of-two who tried to stab woman during row. Charges or matters: assaulting Ms Madden causing her harm at Cathedral View Walk, Dublin on August 20, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 20, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 10 Adjournment
- 2019-05-31 Publication
Why: She said she had more options in sentencing because the knife had not inflicted any injuries. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assaulting Ms Madden causing her harm at Cathedral View Walk, Dublin on August 20, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: O'Leary, of Edel House Residential Centre, Grattan Street, Cork, was given a 12-month probation bond at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today and will be sentenced in June 2020.; She ordered an updated report from probation services and adjourned sentencing to June 10 next year.
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