Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge notes difficulty of deliberating on attempted murder after second jury disagreement

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court case, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained the difficulty of deliberating on an attempted murder charge after a second jury of 12 failed to reach a verdict. The case involved 40‑year‑old Philip Cox, who had stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice with three knives. Cox pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and knife production. The jury deliberated for seven hours over three days, then for five hours after the judge offered a majority verdict option. When no ten‑member majority emerged, the judge declared the jury deadlocked and discharged them, noting the high standard of proof required for attempted murder. He advised the jury not to reproach themselves and highlighted that the case was highly contentious, with the outcome dependent on the Director of Public Prosecutions. The judge thanked the panel and wished them a happy Christmas, exempting them from service for ten years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge notes difficulty of deliberating on attempted murder after second jury disagreement. Charges or matters: the attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, at the flat complex on December 1, 2022; assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife during the course of the dispute. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 1, 2022 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2024-12-17 Publication

Why: She said that Mr Cox kicked her twice in the face and must have hit the knife off the wall because it broke. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report