Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless mother attacked fellow hotel resident with chisel

Summary

A homeless mother of five, Lisa Blake, aged 38, was staying in a Dublin hotel with her children when she entered another resident's room and attacked her with a chisel. The victim, Michelle Lowry, sustained minor injuries, including a small scar on her nose. Blake, who had previously lived in her own home and worked at The Regency Hotel, claimed that the economic downturn and heroin addiction had caused her to lose her home. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on 30 July 2013. Garda James Woods described the incident as involving Blake entering the victim's room, hitting and kicking while shouting "you're a rat," pulling the victim by the hair, and using a chisel. The altercation involved the victim's four‑year‑old daughter and teenage son, and was broken up in the corridor by other residents. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the sentence to October to allow Blake to engage with Probation Services.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless mother attacked fellow hotel resident with chisel. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Michelle Lowry at the hotel on July 30, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 30, 2013 Incident
• 2016-06-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report