Courts / Meath / Report
Row over personal space led to knife assault
Summary
Mark Donohoe, a 40-year-old man from Navan, Co Meath, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an assault that occurred on September 2, 2013, at Eurospar, Hartstown Shopping Centre. The defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, specifically on the basis that his actions were excessive, a plea accepted by the prosecution as excessive self-defence. The court heard that the incident began when the victim, Alan McIllroy, head-butted Donohoe following a dispute over personal space in a queue. Donohoe subsequently used a knife to attack McIllroy, who suffered severe facial injuries, including a wound from his ear canal to his cheek. Judge Patricia Ryan found that while Donohoe acted in self-defence, he used force beyond what was required. The judge suspended a two-year prison sentence on the condition that Donohoe keeps the peace and is of good behaviour for that period. Additionally, the court ordered that €4,000, offered by Donohoe in remorse, be paid to the victim. In mitigation, the judge noted Donohoe's unblemished record, excellent educational and working history, volunteer engagement, and his unequivocal state of being under attack.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Row over personal space led to knife assault. Charges or matters: the offence on the basis that his actions were excessive; assault causing harm at Eurospar, Hartstown Shopping Centre, Dublin on September 2, 2013; assault on the grounds of excessive self defence, which was accepted by the prosecution. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2, 2013 Incident
- 2016-07-01 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the offence on the basis that his actions were excessive; assault causing harm at Eurospar, Hartstown Shopping Centre, Dublin on September 2, 2013; assault on the grounds of excessive self defence, which was accepted by the prosecution (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She suspended a sentence of two years and ordered that €4,000 offered by Donohoe in remorse should be paid over to the victim.
Places mentioned
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