Courts / Cork / Report
Instigator of violence at Cameron Blair murder scene has jail term increased
Summary
In 2022, the Court of Appeal increased the jail term of Scott O'Connor, 20, who brandished a large knife outside a house party where 20‑year‑old Cameron Blair was stabbed to death. O'Connor had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to producing a weapon capable of serious injury. The original sentence of five years with a three‑year suspended portion was deemed too lenient. The appellate court reduced the suspended period to two years, thereby extending the custodial term to two years. The decision was based on O'Connor's role as the instigator of the violence, his armed conduct, and the lack of any threat to him. The court noted that Blair had no involvement in the violence and that the death was tragic and unexpected. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued the original suspension was unduly lenient. The judgment was delivered by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, with Mr Justice John Edwards presiding.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Instigator of violence at Cameron Blair murder scene has jail term increased. 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, at the Central Criminal Court in January 2021; 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
- January 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2020 Other
- 2022-04-05 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
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, at the Central Criminal Court in January 2021; 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: Scott O'Connor (20) – whom the DPP described as the instigator of events outside the party – was sentenced to five years imprisonment with three years suspended after he had pleaded guilty in January last year at the Central Criminal Court to committing violent disorder at Bandon Road in Cork city on January 16, 2020. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later appealed the sentence imposed by Mr Justice David Keane on the grounds that the three-year suspended portion was "unduly lenient".
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- The Central Criminal Court
- Bandon Road
- Churchfield Square
- Cork city
Topics
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