Courts / Cork / Report

Two-year term for brandishing knife at Cameron Blair murder scene too lenient, State argues

Date
2022-03-08

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork City

County
Cork

Summary

In March 2022 the Court of Appeal heard that the two‑year custodial sentence imposed on 20‑year‑old Scott O'Connor for brandishing a knife outside a Cork house party was unduly lenient. O'Connor had pleaded guilty in January 2021 to violent disorder and to producing a knife capable of serious injury in a manner likely unlawful to intimidate another. The Central Criminal Court had originally imposed a five‑year term with the final three years suspended; the DPP appealed, arguing the suspension was too lenient given the grave circumstances. The case involved a pre‑drinks party for UCC Freshers' Week, a drunk homeless man, and the death of 20‑year‑old Cameron Blair, who was stabbed moments after O'Connor had brandished a large knife on the doorstep.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Two-year term for brandishing knife at Cameron Blair murder scene too lenient, State argues. Charges or matters: producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of a dispute, to wit a knife, in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person on the same occasion; each of the two offences early in the process and that had saved everybody quite a long trial," Mr Munro added. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

January 16, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
March 2020 Other
2022-03-08 Publication

Why: During Ms Rowland's submission, CCTV footage was played to the court in which Mr Blair's killer, who cannot be named because he is still a juvenile, was clearly seen tapping a knife against his leg as he stood close to O'Connor, before the fateful scuffle at the door of the house broke out. CNI source report

Case subjects

Scott O'Connor

Appellant

Charges: producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of a dispute, to wit a knife, in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person on the same occasion; each of the two offences early in the process and that had saved everybody quite a long trial," Mr Munro added (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) The two-year sentence imposed on a teenager who brandished a knife outside a house party in Cork city where 20-year-old college student Cameron Blair was stabbed to death was unduly lenient, the Court of Appeal was told today. He was jailed for two years after Mr Justice David Keane imposed a five-year term with the final three years suspended.