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Meat cleaver crime 'orgy' on family members

Summary

In March 2019, Phuong Nguyen, aged 42, carried out an "orgy of criminal damage" against his relatives in Dublin. Armed with a meat cleaver and a shatter hammer, he set fire to his aunt's apartment in Newtown Court, Coolock, and later to his sister's house and cars at Templeview Green, Clarehall. The arson caused €165,000 of damage. Nguyen also threatened to kill two family members and was found to be experiencing a psychotic episode due to illicit drug use, including crack cocaine, at the time. He pleaded guilty to five counts of arson, four of criminal damage, three of possessing a meat cleaver in a dispute, and two of threatening to kill. On sentencing, Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a nine‑year prison term, suspending the final three and a half years on conditions, after noting Nguyen's remorse and drug‑free status. No serious injuries occurred, though a two‑year‑old child was present during the incidents.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Meat cleaver crime 'orgy' on family members. Charges or matters: five counts of arson, four counts of criminal damage, three counts of producing a meat cleaver in the course of a dispute and two counts of threatening to kill on March 25, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 25, 2019 Incident
• 2020-11-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report