Graham McGuinness pleads guilty to causing serious harm

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Graham McGuinness pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Martin Reilly before a jury was due to be sworn for his trial. The proceedings were reported on 13 June 2024.

McGuinness, of Riverview, Blackcastle Avenue, Flower Hill, Navan, Co Meath, was initially charged with the attempted murder of Mr Reilly at Store Street in Dublin 1 on 11 June 2020. He was also charged with producing a homemade shank in a manner likely to intimidate another person and with causing serious harm to Mr Reilly.

On 13 June 2024, Patrick Gageby SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Ms Justice Karen O'Connor that the guilty plea had been accepted and a jury would not be required. The judge adjourned the matter to 19 July 2024 to hear evidence before imposing sentence.

The judge ordered a prison governor's report, an education report and urinalysis. Eanna Molloy SC, for McGuinness, said his client had been making steady progress in his education since entering custody following the assault. Mr Reilly had been invited to provide a victim impact statement ahead of sentencing.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.