Courts / Kerry / Report

Man who slit house mate's throat in random attack jailed for seven years

Summary

Paul Lestrange, 40, of Rosdedara, Killarney, was jailed for seven years after he slit the throat of his house‑mate James McGuirk in a random attack on 15 January 2015. Lestrange told McGuirk to write a will before the assault and, with a bread knife, cut McGuirk's throat, saying, "I told you it would end badly." He prevented McGuirk's neighbours and house‑mate Martin Roche from helping until he was overpowered and disarmed. The court found no particular motive; Lestrange's only previous convictions involved alcohol. Judge Martin Nolan described the assault as very serious, with the intent to kill, and noted McGuirk suffered a severe disfiguring scar and post‑traumatic stress. Lestrange expressed remorse and apologized to McGuirk. The sentence was imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who slit house mate's throat in random attack jailed for seven years. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to James McGuirk and production of a kitchen knife at North Circular Road, Dublin on January 15, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• January 15, 2015 Incident
• 2016-02-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report