Courts / Dublin / Report

Convicted murderer slashed prison officer's face during escape bid

Date
2024-06-13

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Smithfield

County
Dublin

Summary

In a June 2024 hearing, a convicted murderer, Graham McEvoy, 26, pleaded guilty to assaulting a prison officer outside Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield on 8 May 2023. McEvoy, who had just had an X‑ray and was released from handcuffs to sit in a waiting van, lunged at officers, shouting threats and slashing the officer's face with a sharpened toilet brush. He also faced charges of threats to kill and attempting to escape lawful custody. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, noting she could not impose a consecutive sentence to his life term for murder. The officer sustained a cut under his eye, received hospital treatment, and was left with a scar. McEvoy had spent a period in 24‑hour lock‑up after the assault and has 32 prior convictions. The court heard that McEvoy had expressed remorse and was receiving psychiatric care in prison.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Convicted murderer slashed prison officer's face during escape bid. Charges or matters: assaulting a prison officer, causing him harm outside the Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield on May 8, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

May 8, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
July 16, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
2024-06-13 Publication

Case subjects

Graham McEvoy

Defendant

Charges: assaulting a prison officer, causing him harm outside the Swiftcare clinic in Smithfield on May 8, 2023 (Proven)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to four years in prison, noting that the law did not allow her to impose a sentence consecutive to the one McEvoy is already serving for murder. He was handed a life sentence and is currently an inmate at Midlands Prison. "This sentence cannot act as a true deterrent, in light of the fact that I can't impose a consecutive sentence," said Judge Codd, backdating it to last month when McEvoy pleaded guilty.