Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed for knife attack on partner of 18 years
Summary
A 40‑year‑old man, Philip Cox, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in prison for twice stabbing his partner of 18 years, Cristal O'Brien, with three knives. The judge noted that the first knife broke on a stairwell wall, yet Cox returned with another knife and threatened to finish her off. He also committed aggravated burglary by smashing Ms O'Brien's neighbour's front door, breaking a window and entering the dwelling. Cox had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and the production of a knife. The judge imposed a consecutive sentence of three years and six months for the knife production and three years and three months for the assault and burglary, suspending the last 15 months. The custodial term is back‑dated to 2 June 2023, and Cox must not contact the two women or approach within 100 metres of their homes.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed for knife attack on partner of 18 years. Charges or matters: assault causing harm; aggravated burglary; production of a knife. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 1, 2022 Incident
- June 2 2023 Incident
- Christmas Incident
- 2025-04-11 Publication
Why: In order to return a guilty verdict, the jury were told they had to be satisfied that there was an attempt to kill and that there was an intention to kill. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm; aggravated burglary; production of a knife (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The last 15 months of the combined six years and nine months sentence was suspended, resulting in a custodial sentence of five-and-a-half years, backdated to June 2 2023, when Cox went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- York Street
- Public Prosecution's view
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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