Case No. 2198Manslaughter · Co. Dublin · 8 Nov 2022
Ann Phelan sentenced to six years for manslaughter of partner David Ennis in Ballyfermot
Ann Phelan, 50, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment (with the final year suspended) at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of her partner David Ennis, 36, whom she fatally stabbed with a small knife at Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on 8 November 2022, in what the judge found was self-defence in response to an anticipated attack.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced3 Mar
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports38 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAnn Phelan fatally stabbed her partner David Ennis in a Dublin apartment (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe judge found Phelan was acting in self-defence in response to an anticipated attack (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDavid Ennis had suffered head injuries from a fall from a balcony days before the killing (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPhelan had 26 previous convictions, mostly for public order offences and non-appearance (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDavid Ennis died from one of three stab wounds; two to the thigh and calf did not contribute to death (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPhelan believed Mr Ennis had a knife at the time of the stabbing (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPhelan intended to stab Mr Ennis in the left arm but the knife went into his side (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPhelan voluntarily went to the garda station after the incident (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe pair had been in a relationship for two to three years with drugs a feature (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBlood on the knife blade matched the deceased's DNA profile (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Ennis had slapped witness Martin Higgins and threatened to burst his eye open that night (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPhelan had also been assaulted by Mr Ennis in the bedroom (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Higgins found Mr Ennis on the floor having a fit or seizures (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAnn Phelan fatally stabbed her ex-partner David Ennis in a Dublin apartment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhelan was acting in self-defence in response to an anticipated attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhelan thought Mr Ennis had a knife at the time of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhelan thought she had stabbed him in the arm but the knife went into his side. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Ennis had suffered head injuries after a fall from a balcony a few days before he was killed. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Ennis had been behaving in an aggressive way in the days before the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Ennis slapped witness Martin Higgins and threatened to burst his eye open that night. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Ennis further assaulted Mr Higgins while Phelan was present. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhelan was also assaulted by Mr Ennis in the bedroom. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo of the stab wounds to the thigh and calf had not contributed to his death. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Claddagh Court in Ballyfermot, Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing took place on the night of 8 November 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe stabbing occurred on the night of 8 November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeMr Ennis died from one of three stab wounds he suffered. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA small potato peeler-like knife was used to stab the victim (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA small potato peeler-like knife was found wrapped in bedding near the body. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePhelan was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge sentenced Phelan to six years with the final year suspended for three years (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 27 October 2023 when she went into custody (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was set at eight years before mitigation (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set the headline sentence at eight years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePhelan was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for three years. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan has 26 previous convictions, the majority for public order offences and non-appearance before court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPhelan has no convictions for assault but holds a conviction for violent behaviour in a Garda station dating back to 2018. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Mar2025Woman who stabbed partner in ‘anticipation of attack’ jailed for five years
Sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns. Phelan was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The judge found she was acting in self-defence in response to an anticipated attack. Headline sentence of eight years reduced to six with the final year suspended for three years, backdated to 27 October 2023.
convicted, Ann Phelan, 50, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ann Phelanvictim, David Ennis, 36, male, irish (judged from name)David Ennis - 3 Mar2025Ann Phelan jailed for killing partner 'in response to anticipated attack'
Sentencing report: Phelan originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to manslaughter; judge found self-defence in response to anticipated attack; headline sentence of eight years reduced to six with one year suspended for three years on conditions of probation supervision, counselling and addiction services.
victim, David Ennis, 36, male, irish (judged from name)David Ennisconvicted, Ann Phelan, 50, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ann Phelan