Courts / Dublin / Report
One-time couple jailed for "frenzied" late night Luas assault
Summary
In a 2014 Luas incident, Aoife Molloy (24) and Martin O'Connor (25) assaulted Noel O'Rourke, a 46‑year‑old passenger, after a slip on the tram. Molloy kicked and pushed O'Rourke, then struck him three times on the head with a Budweiser bottle, which broke, and jabbed his lip. O'Connor hit O'Rourke twice with the bottle and punched him several times. O'Rourke suffered a fractured eye socket, scalp and lip wounds, and lasting scarring. Both defendants pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, violent disorder and possession of a bottle. Judge James O'Donohue sentenced each to four years, suspending two years for O'Connor and 18 months for Molloy, who must pay over €3,000 to the victim. The court noted their intoxication, remorse and lack of prior violent history. The case was identified through CCTV and DNA evidence. The defendants are no longer in a relationship. The sentence was imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: One-time couple jailed for "frenzied" late night Luas assault. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Noel O'Rourke, violent disorder and production of a Budweiser bottle on an outbound Luas red line between the Smithfield and Museum stops on December 11, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 11, 2014 Incident
- 2016-01-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm to Noel O'Rourke, violent disorder and production of a Budweiser bottle on an outbound Luas red line between the Smithfield and Museum stops on December 11, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge James O'Donohue imposed a sentence of four years on O'Connor and suspended the final two. He imposed a sentence of four years on Molloy and suspended the final 18 months on condition she pay over €3,000 to her victim.
Places mentioned
- South Circular Road
- Elmdale Park
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request