Courts / Wicklow / Report

Woman who attacked award-winning journalist on O'Connell Street loses appeal

Date
2015-02-16

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal against conviction lodged by Ruth Barry, who was found guilty of cutting the face and causing serious injury to journalist Jennifer Bray on O'Connell Street in 2010. Barry, who denied all charges including robbery and using a blade, was originally sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2012. Her co-accused, Jonathan O'Brien, was also involved in the incident. Barry's appeal argued that the trial was rendered unfair due to the absence of witness Jacob Gajda, whose statement suggested O'Brien handled a blade only after the injury occurred. However, Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, ruled that Gajda's evidence did not address whether Barry possessed a knife. The court found Barry centrally involved in the joint enterprise, noting her actions in robbing Ms Bray and departing the scene proved she never withdrew from the agreement. The judges concluded that the absence of the witness could not render the jury's verdict unsafe or unsatisfactory. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and Barry was returned to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman who attacked award-winning journalist on O'Connell Street loses appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

June 25 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
July 26 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-02-16 Publication

Case subjects

Jonathan O'Brien

Appellant

Ruth Barry

Convicted Person

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; Barry was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on July 26 2012. Barry was returned to prison where she will serve out the remainder of her sentence.