Man stabbed eight times following altercation in pub

A MAN was stabbed eight times following an altercation in a Courtown pub.

Wexford Circuit Criminal Court heard how there was a breakdown in relations between friends prior to an incident at Jimmy’z Bar, Ballinatray Upper, Riverchapel.

Ken O’Byrne, of 26 Glen Richard Woods, Poulshone, Courtown Harbour, came before Judge Cormac Quinn where he pleaded guilty to the possession of a weapon and assault causing harm to Paul Brady on December 14, 2017.

Garda Brian Dowling told the court that Paul Brady was known to the defendant prior to the incident, but there had been a breakdown in friendship.

On the evening in question, both men had been drinking in Gorey, where there had been a short interaction between the pair in a pub.

Both men subsequently ended up at Jimmy’z Bar in Riverchapel.

Garda Dowling said the victim Paul Brady was drinking at the bar when he was approached by O’Byrne. Brady said ‘all right bud’, to which the defendant replied ‘I’ll give you all right, bud’.

It was at this stage, said Garda Downling, that the defendant produced a large knife, stabbing Mr Brady eight times in the neck, chest and hands.

Garda Dowling said emergency services arrived promptly and tended to the victim. The defendant had to be restrained by others in the bar, who were successful in taking the knife off him. Gardai then arrived on the scene and the defendant was arrested.

The victim was brought to Wexford General Hospital before being transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, where he remained for three days.

Gada Dowling said that O’Byrne’s most serious injury was the 10mm laceration to his neck, where an artery was exposed.

In a Victim Impact Statement, read to the court by Prosecuting Counsel, Ms Sinead Gleeson, Mr Brady told of having received stab wounds to his left shoulder, wrist, chest and neck and left hand, while the stabbing missed his heart artery by 3mm.

‘Through mny life I was always a very friendly, open person. I do not trust people any more while the doors of my house are now always locked.’

Defence Counsel, John Peart SC (Instructed by Lana Doherty, Solicitor) said the defendant lived in Courtown for the past 17 years having come from Finglas. He said his client was not in his right mind, adding that it was totally out of character for him.

Following an application from Prosecution Counsel, Ms Sinead Gleeson, Judge Quinn granted an adjournment of the case to enable the court have further information from the DPP.

Judge Quinn adjourned the matter to May 21.