A 22-year-old man was sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Pauline Codd at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for repeatedly stabbing a woman in the vagina in what was described as a “misogynistic” and cruel assault. The defendant, who was 21 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to the victim in a city center flat on March 6, 2024. Despite having 15 prior convictions and being on bail, he carried out the brutal assault.
The court heard that on the night of the incident, Garda Colm Carroll and his colleague responded to a disturbance in the apartment building and found the victim bleeding profusely on a balcony. Emergency services rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent surgery for multiple lacerations, including a deep 10cm wound and other significant injuries that may impact her ability to give birth naturally in the future.
During the trial, it was revealed that the defendant was in possession of a bloodstained knife, and a voice note from Snapchat captured him planning the attack. CCTV footage showed the defendant and three others armed with knives entering the victim’s complex, with the victim’s screams audible in the background.
Medical reports presented in court highlighted the severity of the victim’s injuries, with one doctor noting that she had lost a significant amount of blood and may face challenges in the future. The prosecutor mentioned that the offense fell within a sentencing bracket of 10 to 15 years, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
The defendant’s lawyer acknowledged his client’s guilty plea and difficult upbringing, citing his mental health conditions as contributing factors to the assault. The lawyer expressed the defendant’s remorse and stated that he was undergoing rehabilitation programs while in custody.
Judge Codd condemned the attack as misogynistic and depraved, underscoring the lasting impact on the victim’s physical and emotional well-being. She highlighted the defendant’s premeditation and disregard for the victim’s safety, noting that his actions demonstrated a callous intent. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need for accountability in sentencing the defendant.
