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'The worst of human behaviour': judge condemns 'savagery' of woman's attack
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Elma Sheahan condemned the brutal assault carried out by Martina Rooney (39) against another woman over a €50 dispute. Rooney repeatedly punched and stabbed the victim, causing extensive facial bruising and lacerations to the back, buttock and thigh. She was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Karl Fishe (35), who assisted by holding the victim's hair, received a two‑year and eight‑month sentence, with the final eight months suspended and a 16‑month probation period. The court noted the attack's duration of about nine minutes and the victim's lasting physical and psychological harm, including panic attacks and loss of joy over an impending pregnancy. Rooney's prior 73 convictions and Fishe's 124 convictions were also recorded. The case was built on CCTV, DNA evidence and Garda testimony. Martina Rooney pleaded guilty. Karl Fishe pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'The worst of human behaviour': judge condemns 'savagery' of woman's attack. Charges or matters: counts of assault causing serious harm and robbery on June 13, 2020, at Adare Lane and Price's Lane, both Dublin 2; a charge of assault causing harm on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 13, 2020 Incident
- June 13 Other
- June 30, 2020 Incident
- 2021-07-28 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: counts of assault causing serious harm and robbery on June 13, 2020, at Adare Lane and Price's Lane, both Dublin 2; a charge of assault causing harm on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Karl Fishe (35), was jailed for two years for his part in the assault. She sentenced Fishe to two years and eight months imprisonment, with the final eight months suspended on strict conditions including that he come under the supervision of the Probation Service for 16 months following his release.
Convicted Person
Charges: counts of assault causing serious harm and robbery on June 13, 2020, at Adare Lane and Price's Lane, both Dublin 2; a charge of assault causing harm on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Rooney's co-accused, Karl Fishe (35), was jailed for two years for his part in the assault. Judge Sheahan sentenced Rooney to nine years imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Temple Bar
- Adare
- Adare Lane
- Price's Lane
- Dublin
- Stanhope Street
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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