Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminal with 124 previous convictions knocked doctor from scooter, stabbed him seven times

Date
2023-06-07

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 31‑year‑old Christopher Coakley pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a doctor on Seville Place, Dublin, on 28 January 2021. Coakley, who had 124 prior convictions, knocked the doctor from his e‑scooter, then stabbed him seven times with a pair of scissors. The victim, a Mountjoy Prison doctor, sustained penetrating wounds to the abdomen, chest, head and neck, and required ongoing physiotherapy. Coakley was charged with attempted murder, robbery and production of scissors, but a nolle prosequi was entered for the attempted murder charge. The court considered the robbery and production charges in sentencing. Coakley's lawyer highlighted his drug‑related background and a possible bipolar disorder, and requested a partially suspended custodial sentence with conditions. The judge will sentence on 19 June.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal with 124 previous convictions knocked doctor from scooter, stabbed him seven times. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 28, 2021 Incident
June 2021 Incident
June 19 Other
2023-06-07 Publication

Case subjects

Christopher Coakley

Accused

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr O'Higgins said the court would have to impose a significant custodial sentence for the "unprovoked and random" attack but he asked Mr Justice Burns to consider his client's guilty plea and suggested a partially suspended sentence with conditions recommended by the probation services, including regular drug testing.