Courts / Kildare / Report

Knife wielding 'storyteller' kissed victim on back of neck

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 February 2026, 32‑year‑old Martin McDonnell pleaded guilty to producing a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette on Wellington Quay on 13 June 2024. The court heard that McDonnell, who has a history of violent incidents and a permanent scar from a past axe attack, approached a worker who had just finished a night shift at 8 am. After the victim refused to give him a cigarette, McDonnell pulled a large knife from his trousers, then, once the cigarette was handed over, hugged the victim and kissed him on the back of the neck. McDonnell was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with the final 10 months suspended, and was ordered to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months after release. The judge noted McDonnell's guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigating factors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Knife wielding 'storyteller' kissed victim on back of neck. Charges or matters: the production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette at Wellington Quay on June 13, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 13, 2024 Incident
• June 26 Other
• 2026-02-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report