Courts / Dublin / Report

Party-goer threw chair and chased man with knife

Date
2016-06-08
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Rush
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Christopher Dunne, aged 22, was given a three‑year suspended sentence for assaulting Scott Chapman at a house party on 24 January 2013. Dunne threw a wooden chair at Chapman and then chased him with a kitchen knife, demanding his car keys. Chapman was struck on the face, suffered a cut on his forehead that required six stitches, incurred €300 in medical costs, lost three weeks of wages and bears a permanent scar. Dunne later contacted Chapman via Facebook, apologising and claiming he could not recall the attack due to alcohol and tablets. He offered €1,000 to Chapman as a token of remorse. Judge Melanie Greally accepted Dunne's remorse and insight, suspended the sentence on the condition of 18 months probation and 180 hours community service within 12 months. Dunne has ten prior convictions, including possession of knives and an imitation firearm. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Party-goer threw chair and chased man with knife. Charges or matters: assaulting Scott Chapman causing him harm at Upper Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin on January 24, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Ms Pillay submitted to Judge Greally that Dunne had been living in his car for a short period because of drinking and drug taking. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Scott Chapman causing him harm at Upper Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin on January 24, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A Dublin man who threw a chair at a stranger during a house party and then chased him off the premises with a kitchen knife has been given a three year suspended sentence. Judge Greally noted that Dunne had €1,000 in court to offer Mr Chapman as a token of his remorse before she suspended a three year sentence on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for 18 months and carry out 180 hours community service within 12 months.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Upper Main Street

Topics

Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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