Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who suffers from Schizophrenia facing prison sentence for slashing face of innocent boy
Summary
Joseph Byrne, 21, who suffers from schizophrenia and was off his medication, attacked an innocent boy by slashing his face with a blade. Byrne approached the boy, who was walking home from school, accusing him of having his X‑Box console. When the boy denied it, Byrne cut a 10‑cm slash down the side of the boy's face. The victim was left with a significant scar and required 36 stitches. Byrne pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun, on 4 February 2014. He has 15 prior convictions, including two for possession of knives. Garda Niall Minnock and counsel Michael O'Higgins SC noted that Byrne comes from a respectable family who supported him, but that he was off medication at the time of the attack. Judge Desmond Hogan allowed Byrne to remain on bail pending sentencing, citing a high risk of reoffending and the need for psychiatric support. The case is set for sentencing next November.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who suffers from Schizophrenia facing prison sentence for slashing face of innocent boy. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun on February 4, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 4, 2014 Incident
- 2015-07-30 Publication
Why: His father said that because of this he would suffer extreme confusion, agitation and, from time to time, aggression. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: assault causing serious harm at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun on February 4, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Mr O'Higgins asked Judge Desmond Hogan to allow Byrne to remain on bail pending sentence so that he could he could get the proper psychiatric supports necessary for him.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man withdraws appeal after telling court it 'wouldn't make a difference'
- Teen with 30 convictions who stamped on assault victim's head is jailed
- Six years for on-bail offender who fractured homeless man's skull in 'cowardly' attack
- On-bail teen offender fractured homeless man's skull in unprovoked assault
- Detective tells court of 'deeply harrowing' experience of being strangled at halting site
- Violent 'monster' jailed for repeatedly kicking former partner in the head
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request