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Suspended sentence for barman who stabbed man he found in bed with his ex-partner

Summary

Michael Bonner, a 43‑year‑old barman from Laurel Lodge, Castleknock, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after stabbing Gary Dawnay twice in the shoulder with a steak knife. The attack occurred on 14 August 2013 at Hayworth Terrace, Ongar, when Bonner discovered Dawnay in bed with his ex‑partner. Dawnay suffered a collapsed lung and a sliced thumb. Judge Desmond Hogan found the offence serious but noted little pre‑meditation, describing the assault as a frenzied, disproportionate reaction. He imposed a three‑year suspended sentence, ordered Bonner to attend an alcohol treatment programme, and required the €3,000 he had raised as a token of remorse to be paid to Dawnay. The court did not read the victim impact statement. Bonner was arrested after being restrained by a group of people, and he admitted the stabbing and apologized. He had reportedly drunk eight or nine pints that night.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for barman who stabbed man he found in bed with his ex-partner. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Gary Dawnay on August 14, 2013 at Hayworth Terrace, Ongar, Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 14, 2013 Incident
• 2015-10-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report