Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for woman who stabbed ex and tried to attack him in hospital
Summary
Deborah Malcolmson, 43, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stabbing her former partner, Brian Kelly, 56, in their home on 29 July 2019, an act that left him seriously injured and requiring a colostomy bag. The court heard that the couple had a "dysfunctional" and "combustible" relationship, with both experiencing alcohol problems and periods of homelessness. Malcolmson also pleaded guilty to threatening Kelly's son and assaulting Kelly in St James Hospital on 11 September 2019, when she swung a punch at him while he was receiving treatment. The judge noted her long‑term alcohol difficulties and her early guilty plea, but imposed the sentence without a medical report that might have elevated the charge. She has 52 prior convictions and was living without a fixed abode at the time of sentencing. The court considered her history of violence and alcohol issues but did not alter the three‑year term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for woman who stabbed ex and tried to attack him in hospital. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Mr Kelly at his home in Rathfarnham on July 29, 2019; making a threat to Mr Kelly's son and assaulting Mr Kelly at St James Hospital on September 11, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 29, 2019 Incident
- September 11, 2019 Incident
- 2020-07-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Mr Kelly at his home in Rathfarnham on July 29, 2019; making a threat to Mr Kelly's son and assaulting Mr Kelly at St James Hospital on September 11, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan indicated he would impose three years' imprisonment, but adjourned the matter to allow Mr Kelly an opportunity to give victim impact evidence should he wish.; Judge Nolan indicated he would impose three years' imprisonment, but adjourned the matter to allow Mr Kelly an opportunity to give victim impact evidence should he wish.
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Mr Kelly at his home in Rathfarnham on July 29, 2019; making a threat to Mr Kelly's son and assaulting Mr Kelly at St James Hospital on September 11, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today, Judge Nolan said there was nothing in the report that changed his mind and he sentenced Malcolmson to three years' imprisonment.; Judge Nolan indicated he would impose three years' imprisonment, but adjourned the matter to allow Mr Kelly an opportunity to give victim impact evidence should he wish.
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