Lee Murray pleads guilty to Luas assault in Dublin

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

Lee Murray pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Sam Hess, causing him harm. He also admitted producing a screwdriver during the assault on the Luas in 2016.

The proceedings were reported on 21 November 2018.

Garda Damien Killala told defence counsel Gerardine Small BL that Hess was travelling to work at a building site. He was heading towards the Rialto stop in south Dublin when Murray and a group boarded the tram.

The court heard that Murray pulled out a flat-head screwdriver, grabbed Hess and told him to take out whatever he had in his pockets. When Hess expressed surprise, Murray pushed the tool into his knuckle, causing it to bleed. Hess later sought medical attention.

CCTV footage of the attack was played to the judge. After his arrest, Murray said he had been very drunk, had taken tablets and that the incident was a blur. He was shocked when shown the footage and told gardaí he wanted to apologise to Hess.

Killala said Murray had 34 previous convictions, including theft and possession of drugs. Judge Cormac Quinn adjourned sentencing to 15 February and ordered a Probation Service report.

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