Courts / Dublin / Report

Ten-year prison sentence over life-altering assault outside Dublin casino

Date
2026-05-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Blanchardstown

County
Dublin

Summary

A man who took part in a violent attack that left another man with life-changing injuries has been jailed for 10 years. Graham Dunphy, 31, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Austin Doherty, who was attacked outside a Dublin casino. The attack, which lasted 45 seconds, left Doherty with serious head injuries, including seizures, spastic paralysis on his left side, and rigidity in his legs. He required extensive speech therapy and is now dependent on a powered wheelchair. Dunphy was a constant throughout the assault, adding to the menace and terror of the event. The court heard that the victim's life has been significantly impaired, with limited improvement four years after the attack. The Director of Public Prosecutions indicated that the offence fell within the serious range of offending, carrying a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years. Judge Martina Baxter noted the ferocity of the attack and the lack of effort to contact emergency services. She imposed a sentence of 10 years imprisonment, backdated to April 20, 2026.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Ten-year prison sentence over life-altering assault outside Dublin casino. Charges or matters: assault causing serious harm to Austin Doherty at Old Navan Road, Mulhuddart, on July 31, 2022; violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 31, 2022 Incident
April 20, 2026 Other
2026-05-08 Publication

Case subjects

Austin Doherty

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing serious harm to Austin Doherty at Old Navan Road, Mulhuddart, on July 31, 2022; violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Photo: Collins) A man who took part in a "ferocious" attack that left another man with life-changing injuries after he was chased and repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on has been jailed for 10 years. Another co-accused, Craig Maples (28), of Green Briar, Verdemont, Blanchardstown, was previously sentenced to seven years in prison after he also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question.

Conti Birali

Background Person

Charges: violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Conti Birali (28), who was considered the orchestrator of events, was previously sentenced to nine years in prison for the same offence. Passing sentence today, Judge Baxter said the attack was carried out in a "ferocious and violent fashion." She said the attack appeared to be "a free-for-all", with each accused aiming for whatever body part was exposed.

Craig Maples

Background Person

Charges: violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Craig Maples (28), of Green Briar, Verdemont, Blanchardstown, was previously sentenced to seven years in prison after he also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing serious harm to Mr Doherty on the night in question. Passing sentence today, Judge Baxter said the attack was carried out in a "ferocious and violent fashion." She said the attack appeared to be "a free-for-all", with each accused aiming for whatever body part was exposed.

Graham Dunphy

Convicted Person

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Baxter said the attack was carried out in a "ferocious and violent fashion." She said the attack appeared to be "a free-for-all", with each accused aiming for whatever body part was exposed. In sentencing Dunphy, Judge Baxter placed the offence in the upper range of offending and set a headline sentence of 12 years.