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16-year sentence for man who tried to murder partner after donning disguise and tagging her car
Summary
Pedro Cifali, 37, was sentenced at the procedural stage of sentence for attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova, 43, at her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15, on May 10, 2024. Cifali, a Brazilian national formerly residing in Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to the charge. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon noted that Cifali allegedly armed himself with a knife, donned a disguise, and tracked Ms Nezbalova using an electronic tag attached to her car. The judge described the attack as unprovoked and premeditated, motivated by jealousy, resulting in life-threatening injuries including stab wounds to the neck, head, stomach, and arms. Ms Nezbalova suffered permanent scars, restricted mobility, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ms Justice Creedon set a headline sentence of 20 years. Considering mitigation, primarily Cifali's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions, the judge imposed a final sentence of 16 years. Additionally, a further 12 months was suspended on the condition that Cifali engages with probation services. The sentence is backdated to May 15, 2024, when Cifali first entered custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 16-year sentence for man who tried to murder partner after donning disguise and tagging her car. Charges or matters: attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova (43) at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15 on May 10, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 10, 2024 Other
- May 15, 2024 Incident
- April 2024 Incident
- 2026-02-09 Publication
Why: She said she was forced to return to work before she had fully healed because she is now the only provider for her children and lacks family support in Ireland. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova (43) at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15 on May 10, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Creedon set a headline sentence of 20 years before considering mitigation, the most significant aspect of which was Cifali's guilty plea and lack of previous conditions. The judge imposed a final sentence of 16 years with a further 12 months suspended on condition that Cifali engage with the probation services.
Places mentioned
- Garnish Square
- Garnish Square
Topics
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