Courts / Dublin / Report
'It's said the pen is mightier than the sword, but I don't know about that', judge remarks in case of violent offender who stabbed security guard three times with pen
Summary
Conor Murphy, aged 23, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for stabbing a shop security guard three times in the neck with a ballpoint pen. The attack took place at Centra, Neilstown Shopping Centre during the Covid‑19 pandemic, after the guard asked Murphy to wear a mask. Murphy later approached the guard and stabbed him, saying to the victim that it was "lucky it's only a pen". The victim suffered superficial injuries and no victim impact statement was filed. Murphy has six prior convictions, including a six‑year sentence for assault causing serious harm. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 18 March 2021. The judge noted Murphy's intoxication at the time and his "bad humour", and remarked that the pen is not mightier than the sword. His earliest possible release is November 2027.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'It's said the pen is mightier than the sword, but I don't know about that', judge remarks in case of violent offender who stabbed security guard three times with pen. Charges or matters: assault causing harm on March 18, 2021, at Centra, Neilstown Shopping Centre. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 18, 2021 Incident
- November 2027 Incident
- 2024-02-22 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm on March 18, 2021, at Centra, Neilstown Shopping Centre (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan handed Murphy a sentence of 16 months.
Places mentioned
- Edenmore Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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