Courts / Dublin / Report

Violent offender left victim's jaw exposed with shank attack in front of city centre garda station

Date
2024-07-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a court hearing on 19 July 2024, Graham McGuinness, aged 32 and with 53 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm after he repeatedly slashed and stabbed Martin Reilly with a homemade shank. The attack took place on 11 June 2020 near Busáras, Dublin, where McGuinness shouted "I'm going to kill you" while striking Reilly's neck and face. Reilly suffered multiple lacerations, including a deep cut that exposed his jawbone, and has been left with lifelong scars. McGuinness had originally been charged with attempted murder but the State accepted his plea for serious harm. The court noted Reilly's belief that he would die that night and that the shank was wrapped in tissue to create a handle. McGuinness offered a brief apology and stated he has turned his life around. The case was adjourned to 9 October for finalisation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent offender left victim's jaw exposed with shank attack in front of city centre garda station. Charges or matters: the offence of causing serious harm and the State accepted his plea. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 11, 2020 Incident
June 10 Incident
June 11th, 2020 Incident
October 9 Adjournment
2024-07-19 Publication

Why: Gda Seymour said victim also told gardaí that there was no reason for the attack to occur at that time. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 32-year-old

Defendant

Charges: the offence of causing serious harm and the State accepted his plea (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ms O'Neill told the court the directors view is that the offence lies "on the cusp" of the middle and upper levels, with the middle level band attracting a sentence of between four and ten years and the upper level between ten and 15 years.; Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed that a Probation Report and an updated Governor's Report be prepared and adjourned the matter to October 9 for finalisation.