Courts / Dublin / Report
'No tolerance of public violence': criminal who carried out shank attack in front of garda station is jailed
Summary
Graham McGuinness, aged 32, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to causing serious harm for a violent attack on Martin Reilly on 11 June 2020. McGuinness, who has 53 prior convictions, repeatedly slashed Reilly's neck, arms, torso and face with a homemade blade wrapped in tissue, shouting "I'm going to kill you" during the assault. The attack began near Busáras and continued toward Store Street Garda Station, where Reilly attempted to seek help. The court noted the severity of the injuries, including a gash exposing Reilly's jawbone, and the public nature of the violence. Mitigating factors included McGuinness's guilty plea, remorse and difficult upbringing, while aggravating factors were the viciousness, duration and weapon used. The suspended portion requires McGuinness to pay a €100 bond, remain at a listed address, provide a phone number, address drug addiction and attend all probation appointments.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'No tolerance of public violence': criminal who carried out shank attack in front of garda station is jailed. Charges or matters: the offence of causing serious harm and the State accepted his plea. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 11, 2020 Incident
- 12 May 2023 Other
- 2024-10-23 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the offence of causing serious harm and the State accepted his plea (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A violent offender who repeatedly slashed another man with a handmade blade and threatened to kill him outside a city centre garda station has been sentenced to six and a half years in jail. "There can be no tolerance of public violence, as the public have the right to go about their business without being exposed to this," said Ms Justice Karen O'Connor at the Central Criminal Court today, imposing a sentence of seven and a half years with the final 12 months suspended on Graham McGuinness (32).
Places mentioned
- city centre garda station
- Busáras towards Store Street Garda Station
- Store Street
- Central Criminal Court
- Blackcastle Avenue
- Navan
- Store Street
- Dublin
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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