Courts / Dublin / Report
"Daddy is downstairs with a knife cutting Mammy": father jailed for knife attack
Summary
A 41‑year‑old man was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for assaulting his wife and his 15‑year‑old step‑daughter on 3 December 2018 at their home. The assault began when the man, armed with a kitchen knife, attacked his wife in front of small children who ran to get the older sister. The step‑daughter tried to protect her mother, was struck several times, and the man then turned on her, hitting her four times. The wife reported that the man had previously assaulted her in June 2018, pushing her against a wall and biting her shoulder. The man pleaded guilty to both assaults, had no prior convictions, and had been taking antidepressants while also abusing alcohol. The judge noted his cooperation, remorse, and good work history, but imposed a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent. The wife expressed that she did not want him jailed, but the court considered the impact on the family.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Daddy is downstairs with a knife cutting Mammy": father jailed for knife attack. Charges or matters: assaulting his wife and step daughter at the family home on December 3, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 3, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 2018 Incident
- 2019-11-07 Publication
Why: Judge Nolan said that, unfortunately for everyone, in order to punish the man and for there to be a deterrent in general terms there must be a custodial sentence. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting his wife and step daughter at the family home on December 3, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A father who attacked his wife with a knife before turning on his 15-year-old step daughter as she tried to save her mother has been jailed for 18 months. The woman communicated to gardai that she did not wish for her former partner to be jailed as she did not believe it would be good for him or their children.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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