Stephen Rabbitte jailed for attempted murder of ex-partner

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

Stephen Rabbitte was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on 27 February 2023 to 16 years in prison, with the final year suspended. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon suspended that year for one year on condition that he remain under probation supervision. The sentence was backdated to 12 April 2021.

Rabbitte pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Audrey Reddin at Marlborough Road, Dublin 7, on 10 April 2021. The proceedings were reported on 27 February 2023.

The court heard that Rabbitte strangled Ms Reddin, stabbed her in the neck and struck her with a slash hook. A neighbour intervened and took the weapon. The judge described the attack as sustained and violent.

The judge said the tip of the knife remained embedded in Ms Reddin's spine and was too dangerous to remove. She continued to experience daily pain and had been diagnosed with PTSD.

The judge said Rabbitte's forensic psychiatrist reported a history of multiple substance misuse. Rabbitte described unusual and paranoid beliefs at the time and had since engaged with addiction services. The judge said he was considered fit to plead and did not suffer from a mental disorder.

In mitigation, the judge noted his guilty plea, a letter of apology, his dyslexia and his willingness to address his addiction. The report said he was due to appear before Galway Circuit Court on 7 March 2023 for reactivation of a suspended sentence.