Courts / Dublin / Report

Denis Leahy admits attempting to murder woman he had been in relationship with 15 years prior

Date
2016-06-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 22 June 2016, 50‑year‑old Denis Leahy pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Rose Kenny, 51, after a vicious knife attack on 23 September 2014 at School Street Flats, Dublin 8. Leahy, who had been in a relationship with Kenny 15 years earlier, admitted to stabbing her a large number of times, including three times to the neck, chest, abdomen and shoulder. Kenny was taken to St James's Hospital and survived. Leahy had previously admitted the assault to Gardaí at Kevin Street Garda Station and was arrested at Mountjoy Garda Station. The court heard that Leahy had no contact with Kenny for seven years until after her father's death, and that the only motive identified was a claim that Kenny had called the police on him. Leahy was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 14 July 2016. The case was closed after the guilty plea, with no further trial proceedings. Denis Leahy pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Denis Leahy admits attempting to murder woman he had been in relationship with 15 years prior. Charges or matters: attempting to murder Rose Kenny (51) at School Street Flats, Dublin 8 on September 23, 2014; intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kenny at the same address on the same date; the attempted murder of Rose Kenny; everything which he has been charged with; count number two on the indictment," said Mr Marrinan. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 23, 2014 Incident
September 23 Incident
July 14 Adjournment
2016-06-22 Publication

Why: It appears this was the only motive for the attack," said the barrister. CNI source report

Case subjects

Denis Leahy

Accused

Charges: attempting to murder Rose Kenny (51) at School Street Flats, Dublin 8 on September 23, 2014; intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kenny at the same address on the same date; the attempted murder of Rose Kenny; everything which he has been charged with; count number two on the indictment," said Mr Marrinan (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Your function is now over." Leahy was then remanded in custody ahead of his sentence hearing on July 14 when a victim impact statement will be read to the court.; Mr Marrinan told Mr Justice Butler that the case would not be proceeding and asked that the accused be remanded in custody.