Mark Lavelle sentenced for stabbing Jonny Cooper

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

Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Mark Lavelle, 32, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two consecutive terms of three and a half years, totalling seven years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The proceedings were reported on 5 November 2015.

Lavelle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Dublin footballer Jonny Cooper. He also admitted assault causing harm to Thomas Smith and hijacking Smith’s car.

The attack on Cooper happened at Dorset Street Upper in Dublin at about 5am on 20 September 2014. Smith was assaulted at Kennelsfort Road Upper in Palmerstown at about 2am that morning. Cooper suffered nine stab wounds around his forehead, eyelid and neck, and remained in hospital overnight.

Judge Martin Nolan said the seriousness of the offences and Lavelle’s criminal history justified making the prison terms consecutive. Lavelle had 62 previous convictions. The judge described him as a danger to society and said protecting the public was his principal duty.

Lavelle’s lawyers said he had a mental disorder for which he needed anti-psychotic medication. Patrick Marrinan SC, defending, said Lavelle had taken crystal meth that night. Counsel described his client as mentally unwell and said he urgently needed treatment in the Central Mental Hospital.