Courts / Dublin / Report

Attack by "fixated" work colleague left victim with 120 stitches to his face, court hears

Date
2025-07-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Adam Mitchell McGrath, 32, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. He attacked a former colleague, slashing his face with a blade, causing a deep laceration that required surgery and 120 stitches, severing facial nerve, saliva duct, vein and artery, and leaving him with a visible scar and speech difficulties. The victim also suffered a superficial leg cut and defensive wounds. McGrath's mental health diagnosis of schizophrenia was noted; he had stopped his medication, leading to a return of symptoms. He had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of eight and a half years, then imposed six years with the final two years suspended for two years, and ordered two years of probation supervision and no contact with the victim.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Attack by "fixated" work colleague left victim with 120 stitches to his face, court hears. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 23, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
October 17, 2023 Incident
2025-07-11 Publication

Why: After a shop worker explained that it would take time for a refund to be processed, McGrath said he would "burn this place down". CNI source report

Case subjects

Adam Mitchell McGrath

Defendant

Charges: assault causing serious harm and making threats to kill or cause serious harm (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said McGrath "made extreme threats, and these were very believable threats." Judge Nolan said the second incident related to McGrath becoming "fixated with this injured party. He stated that mental health problems and conditions should be considered as mitigation factors, saying, "This does not excuse the crime, but it should be taken into account." Judge Nolan sentenced McGrath to six years in prison, with the final two years suspended for two years.