Courts / Dublin / Report
20-year-old with 78 previous convictions in violent city centre attacks
Summary
A 20‑year‑old man named Benjamin Morrissey, who had 78 prior convictions, was sentenced to six years in prison for two violent street attacks. In February 2021 he used scissors to attack a woman on O'Connell Street, attempting to seize her electric scooter, and in a separate incident he stabbed a man, Daniel Shortt, in the neck, causing a four‑inch wound and nerve damage. Morrissey pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Shortt and to attempted robbery of a woman on February 5, 2021. He had been on bail at the time of the robbery. The court considered his difficult childhood and cooperation, and imposed a six‑year sentence, with the last two years suspended and the sentence back‑dated for time already served. The proceedings were held in Dublin, with the judge noting the serious nature of the offences and the victims' physical and emotional suffering.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 20-year-old with 78 previous convictions in violent city centre attacks. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Daniel Shortt on St Augustine Street, Dublin 8 on August 9, 2020; attempted robbery of BB Sondegur on February 5, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 2021 Incident
- August 9, 2020 Other
- February 5, 2021 Other
- 2022-03-11 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Daniel Shortt on St Augustine Street, Dublin 8 on August 9, 2020; attempted robbery of BB Sondegur on February 5, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced Morrissey to eight years in prison but suspended the last two years.
Places mentioned
- O'Connell Street
- St Augustine Street
- Gardiner Street
- Dublin
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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