Courts / Dublin / Report
14 years for man who tried to murder ex-girlfriend by stabbing her 50 times
Summary
Josh O'Brien, aged 22, was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison, with 18 months suspended, for attempting to murder his ex‑girlfriend, 21‑year‑old Niamh Kelly, by stabbing her 50 times on 19 September 2024. The judge described the violence as "breathtaking" and noted Kelly's life‑altering injuries, including permanent blindness in one eye, paralysis of her left leg, and extensive bone and organ damage. O'Brien pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and was found to have mental health issues but had not sought treatment. He was ordered to keep all probation appointments and to refrain from contacting Kelly for five years, including via electronic messaging. Kelly, who survived after seven months in hospital, continues physiotherapy and expresses gratitude for the sentence while acknowledging her ongoing recovery. The case was heard by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring in Dublin.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 14 years for man who tried to murder ex-girlfriend by stabbing her 50 times. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 19, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 19 Incident
- 2025-10-20 Publication
Why: Det Dalton explained that this referred to an incident that was reported in the media about someone who shaved a woman's head "so the girl wouldn't be attractive to other people". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Having regard to the level of violence used, the fact that O'Brien stabbed his victim with a knife he had been carrying for some time and that the victim suffered life-altering, permanent injuries, she set a headline sentence of 19 years. Outside court, Ms Kelly told media that she had hoped for a heavier sentence but was happy that O'Brien is "not walking away and getting away with anything he's done to me".
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