Courts / Dublin / Report
'I'm going to hurt you now': elderly man fought off syringe-wielding mugger
Summary
An elderly man, Christopher O'Neill, was attacked by 26‑year‑old Nicole Byrne while using a cash machine in Dublin city centre. Byrne threatened him with a syringe and said, "I'm going to hurt you now." O'Neill, fearing for his life, struck Byrne in the face, grabbed her arms, and forced her to the ground until Gardaí arrived. Byrne, who had previously pleaded guilty to robbery offences, was found to be heavily drug‑using and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended on condition of drug treatment and victim‑focused work. O'Neill, who had recently returned to Ireland with his family, said the incident shattered his dream of living safely in the country and prompted them to seek a safer place to live. The case was described by the sentencing judge as a regrettable indictment of the risks people face in the city.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'I'm going to hurt you now': elderly man fought off syringe-wielding mugger. Charges or matters: robbery at South Richmond Street, Dublin on May 29, 2018; two charges of robbery of the same sandwich shop on Bolton Street, Dublin on the two days before the cash machine mugging. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- May 29, 2018 Other
- May 27th Other
- 2020-06-12 Publication
Why: He decided it was a case of "fight or flight" but because of a "gammy knee" and sore back he had no chance of running away. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery at South Richmond Street, Dublin on May 29, 2018; two charges of robbery of the same sandwich shop on Bolton Street, Dublin on the two days before the cash machine mugging (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Little Britain Street
- Dublin
- South Richmond Street
- Bolton Street
Topics
Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision Theft
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