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Man sentenced to four years for threatening to "chop up" his sister and her family
Summary
Darran O'Brien, 35, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for threatening to "chop up" his sister Patricia Dunne and her family over a dispute about selling their family home. He had called his niece searching for Dunne, threatened to cut her hand off, and said he would "chop them all up" if anyone interfered. O'Brien texted Dunne with violent threats, later arriving at her home with an axe, a hammer and a knife. Gardaí were called after his partner reported him, and a specialist negotiator was involved. O'Brien pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his sister and to threatening to kill Gardaí. The judge cited his 67 prior convictions and the family's sale plan as aggravating factors. The sentence included an 18‑month suspended period and strict probation conditions. Ms Dunne's victim impact statement described her fear and distress caused by O'Brien's behaviour. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man sentenced to four years for threatening to "chop up" his sister and her family. Charges or matters: threatening to kill his sister and production of an axe at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght on May 31, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 31, 2014 Incident
- 2015-03-04 Publication
Why: A man who threatened to "chop up" his sister and any member of her family that "gets in my way" because of a dispute over the sale of their family home has been sentenced to four years. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: threatening to kill his sister and production of an axe at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght on May 31, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He sentenced him to four years in prison and suspended the last 18 months on strict conditions including that he engage with the Probation Supervision for 18 months upon his release.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Hillview Estate
- Dublin
- Cushlawn Park
Topics
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