Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen slashed Luas passenger in face with Stanley knife in unprovoked attack

Summary

In a 2015 case, Christopher Cooney, a 19‑year‑old father of one, was sentenced to 16 months of detention after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The offence occurred on 22 February 2013 at the St James' Luas stop when Cooney, armed with a Stanley knife, unprovokedly slashed Peter English across the face. English required 13 stitches and sustained a 9‑cm scar, and a victim impact report noted his difficulty finding employment and heightened paranoia. Cooney's counsel described the act as "horrific but spontaneous," noting no prior convictions and no subsequent offences. The court imposed a four‑year detention sentence, suspending all but the first 16 months on the condition that Cooney remains law‑abiding for the remaining period. The case highlighted the severe physical and psychological effects on the victim and the legal consequences for the offender.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen slashed Luas passenger in face with Stanley knife in unprovoked attack. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Peter English at St James' Luas stop on Febuary 22, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 2015-01-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report