Courts / Dublin / Report
Man repeatedly stabbed girlfriend in the face
Summary
In September 2015, Constantin Zahira (29) stabbed his girlfriend repeatedly in the face after accusing her of cheating, and also attacked his sister and his girlfriend's father with a Stanley knife. The girlfriend sustained eight wounds requiring stitches and will bear lifelong scarring. Zahira, who had no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing serious harm to his girlfriend and assault causing harm to her father and his sister. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a nine‑year sentence, suspending the final two and a half years. The court noted Zahira's lack of prior convictions and his late guilty plea. Character references, including one from his sister and the mayor of his Romanian hometown, were submitted. A psychological report highlighted a history of distrust, jealousy and past physical abuse. Gardaí found Zahira after he fled the scene, and he later claimed he was drunk and that his girlfriend had slapped him first.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man repeatedly stabbed girlfriend in the face. Charges or matters: causing serious harm to his girlfriend and assault causing harm to her father and his own sister at Bramblefield Park, Clonee, Co Dublin on September 5, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 5, 2015 Incident
- 2016-07-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: causing serious harm to his girlfriend and assault causing harm to her father and his own sister at Bramblefield Park, Clonee, Co Dublin on September 5, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan imposed a nine year sentence.
Places mentioned
Topics
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