Ryan Cannon jailed for assault causing harm and vehicle seizure

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

Ryan Cannon was sentenced to four years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an attack on a taxi driver. Judge Pauline Codd declined to suspend any part of the sentence.

Cannon pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and unlawful seizure of a vehicle on the second day of his trial in April. The proceedings were reported on 5 June 2024.

The incident occurred on 10 September 2016. The court heard that the driver had parked outside McDonald’s at Airside Retail Park before Cannon and another man entered the taxi. After the driver pulled in and returned a €50 note, the other man hit him and Cannon held a knife to his neck, telling him to drive.

The driver escaped from the taxi, but both men followed him. He handed over the keys and Cannon stabbed him around seven times. Cannon drove the taxi away with the other man; it was later found burnt out. Emergency services declared a “code red” and the driver was taken to Beaumont Hospital.

Judge Codd identified the use of the knife as an aggravating factor and noted that Cannon had gone to the UK and had not faced the consequences of his actions at an early stage. The report said he was later arrested by arrangement; defence counsel said he returned voluntarily.

The judge also considered Cannon’s family support, expressions of remorse and rehabilitation efforts. The victim had accepted an offer of €4,000 in compensation.