Courts / Dublin / Report

Romanian national who killed Canadian tourist in Dublin city centre gets 5.5 years

Date
2026-02-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

A Romanian national, Ionut Danca, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for killing a Canadian tourist, Neno Dolmajian, in Dublin city centre. Danca delivered a full-force running kick to the victim's head, who was lying on the ground under the influence of alcohol. The judge described the attack as brazen and stated that there was no need or justification for the act. Dolmajian, a 42-year-old Canadian of Armenian heritage, was visiting Ireland and was due to leave the country the day after the incident. The victim's family attended the sentencing hearing via video-link from Canada and described him as a positive and creative person. Danca's co-accused, Madalin Ghiuzan, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with the sentence suspended for 12 months. The judge noted that the victim's death was a devastating loss for his family and emphasized the need for justice. Danca's defense highlighted his lack of prior convictions and his exemplary work ethic, but the court ruled that the severity of the crime warranted a significant prison term. Ionut Danca pleaded guilty. Madalin Ghiuzan pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Romanian national who killed Canadian tourist in Dublin city centre gets 5.5 years. Charges or matters: assaulting Mr Dolmajian, causing him harm at Cathal Brugha St, Dublin 1. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 2, 2024 Incident
June 23, 2024 Incident
June 2024 Other
July 2 Other
2026-02-17 Publication

Case subjects

Ionut Danca

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting Mr Dolmajian, causing him harm at Cathal Brugha St, Dublin 1 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ionut Danca (L) & victim Neno Dolmajian (R)) A Romanian national who killed a Canadian tourist in Dublin city centre by "brazenly" delivering a "full force running kick" straight to his head has been jailed for five and a half years. Mr Justice McDermott sentenced Danca to six years in prison but said he would suspend the last six months for a period of two years.

Madalin Ghiuzan

Co Accused

Charges: assaulting Mr Dolmajian, causing him harm at Cathal Brugha St, Dublin 1 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The judge said today that the appropriate sentence for the "spontaneous and short-lived" assault inflicted by Ghiuzan was 12 months in prison. Mr Justice McDermott set a headline sentence at 18 months in prison for Ghiuzan, but said the appropriate term was 12 months.