Man given suspended sentence for stabbing mother's lover

A Tallaght man who “snapped” when he found his mother having sex with a man and stabbed him has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Daniel Ward (aged 21) of Bawnlea Close pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Sean O’Riordan on August 5, 2008 at his home.

Detective Garda Eamon Ryan told Mr Ronan Kennedy BL, prosecuting, that the injured party, Mr O’Riordan, was attending a friend’s birthday drinks in Clondalkin village.

He was texting the defendant’s mother Tracey Carolan during the day as they had been “seeing each other on and off.”

“He had made arrangements to call to her and she agreed with him,” said Det Ryan. “Ms Carolan texted him her address and he arrived around 1am to her house in a taxi”.

Ms Carolan and Mr O’Riordan were having sex on the sofa in the sitting room when the accused popped his head in the door as he was looking for a lighter.

“Both parties were naked and Mr O’Riordan quickly got dressed and ran out of the house.

The defendant told gardai he did not know the man and ran into the kitchen where he armed himself with a knife and ran up the road after Mr O’Riordan.

Mr O’Riordan told gardai he was out of breath and had to stop running and a scuffle ensued between him and the defendant.

“Mr O’Riordan fell onto a traffic island and then realised he was bleeding heavily and a knife was lodged into his left knee,” said Det Ryan.

He was taken to Tallaght Hospital where it was discovered he had a total of six stab wounds including wounds to his knees, shoulder and upper thighs.

Mr Kennedy said Ward had drank four pints of Bulmers that night and was “very angry and felt disrespected when he saw a stranger in his home.”

Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, defending, said the accused was hardworking and always employed.

He asked Det Ryan if he would accept that the accused had “lost his head and snapped”, to which he replied “yes”. He also said that he showed remorse.

“As soon as we saw him he apologised immediately,” said Det Ryan.

Mr Hartnett submitted that there was “an extremely favorable” probation report before the court which outlined how he had voluntarily attended for anger management therapy and was at low risk of re-offending. He had €3,500 in court to offer as compensation.

Judge Katherine Delahunt said it was very unusual case but said the victim had suffered significant injuries. She noted Ward had apologised and shown genuine remorse.

Judge Delahunt said nothing would be served by imposing a custodial sentence and imposed an 18-month sentence which she suspended in full.