Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman who may be pregnant jailed for "unforgivable" stabbing of 77-year-old man

Date
2015-03-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Linda Nugent, aged 43, was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for stabbing her 77‑year‑old friend Desmond Garland three times in the neck and chest on 14 September 2013. She pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. The judge described the offence as unforgivable and noted it carries a maximum of life imprisonment. Nugent is pregnant and may give birth in prison. Garland suffered a heart attack immediately after the stabbing, underwent emergency surgery, spent 28 days in intensive care and later six months in a ward before being moved to a nursing home where he died of cancer in December 2014. Garland's son read a victim impact statement describing his father as a gentleman who was deeply affected by the assault. Nugent has a mild learning disability, epilepsy, and two prior public order convictions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman who may be pregnant jailed for "unforgivable" stabbing of 77-year-old man. Charges or matters: intentionally or recklessly causing Mr Garland serious harm at his home in Lismeen Grove, Beechpark Avenue, Coolock on September 14, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 14, 2013 Incident
2015-03-12 Publication

Why: Linda Nugent (43) claimed she stabbed the now deceased victim because he had asked her to be his girlfriend. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed woman

Convicted Person

Charges: intentionally or recklessly causing Mr Garland serious harm at his home in Lismeen Grove, Beechpark Avenue, Coolock on September 14, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A woman who may be pregnant has been jailed for seven and a half years for stabbing her 77-year-old friend three times in the neck and chest.