Courts / Dublin / Report

Attempted murder accused who attacked ex with three knives said he never intended to hurt her, trial hears

Date
2024-03-06

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Philip Cox, 39, was tried for attempted murder after he stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice in the leg on 1 December 2022 at a York Street flat. He claimed he had no intention to hurt her and that the incident was a blur. O'Brien said Cox had threatened to stab her "to pieces", broke two knives, then retrieved a third, describing the attack as terrifying. A neighbour, Alice McGrath, testified that Cox said he would kill O'Brien and that he did not care if he went to prison. Cox pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge. He also faced separate charges of assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and producing a knife during a dispute, for which he had pleaded guilty. The trial was heard in the Central Criminal Court, with the jury hearing the evidence and the defendant's statements. The case is ongoing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Attempted murder accused who attacked ex with three knives said he never intended to hurt her, trial hears. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, at the flat complex on December 1, 2022; certain offences when his detention came to an end but that he was not charged with the attempted murder of his ex-partner until May 2, 2023; assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife during the course of a dispute at the same date and location. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 1, 2022 Other
December 1 Incident
May 2, 2023 Incident
2024-03-06 Publication

Why: Mr Cox said "no" because he was "able to have a few pints and be grand". CNI source report

Case subjects

Philip Cox

Accused

Charges: the attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, at the flat complex on December 1, 2022; certain offences when his detention came to an end but that he was not charged with the attempted murder of his ex-partner until May 2, 2023; assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife during the course of a dispute at the same date and location (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: He also said he didn't know why he "did it' Under cross-examination, Det Gda Fitzgerald agreed with Eoghan Cole SC, defending, that the accused was charged with certain offences when his detention came to an end but that he was not charged with the attempted murder of his ex-partner until May 2, 2023.