Attempted murder charge dropped against Philip Cox after second jury fails to reach verdict
The DPP directed a nolle prosequi on the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox, 40, after a second Central Criminal Court jury failed to reach a verdict on the stabbing of his ex-partner Cristal O'Brien at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, on 1 December 2022. Cox, who had already pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, and production of a knife, was remanded in custody with a sentence hearing listed for 20 January 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court10 Dec
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCox knocked the phone out of O'Brien's hand and threw it away when she tried to call gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCox knocked O'Brien to the ground and tried to stab her after she ran down one flight of stairs. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCox stabbed O'Brien twice in the leg while she was sitting on the sofa. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCox kicked O'Brien twice in the face and the knife broke. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCox was accused of twice stabbing his ex-partner of 18 years and chasing her with three different knives. (irishtimes.com)
- wherePhilip Cox is originally from Tallaght, Dublin, with an address at York Street Flats, Dublin 2. (irishtimes.com)
- whereCox is originally from Tallaght, Dublin, and has an address at York Street Flats, Dublin 2. (irishtimes.com)
- whenOn the night of the attack, Cox finished work early, went to the pub across the road, and returned at around 12.30am. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 1 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponCox walked into the kitchen and picked up a large kitchen knife. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe second knife broke during the assault. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponCox used three different knives during the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCox had previously pleaded guilty to producing a knife, aggravated burglary and assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCox pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, and production of a knife. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of eight men and four women. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State dropped the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox after a second jury failed to reach a verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury of eight men and four women deliberated for seven hours over three days. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury also failed to reach a verdict in the first trial in March 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentence hearing on the remaining charges was listed for 20 January. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCox was remanded in custody on the remaining counts until the sentence hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State dropped the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA second Central Criminal Court jury failed to reach a verdict. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe first jury also failed to reach a verdict in March 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe second jury of eight men and four women deliberated for seven hours over three days. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP directed a nolle prosequi on the attempted murder charge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Tony Hunt terminated the attempted murder matter. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentence hearing on the three guilty pleas was listed for 20 January. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCox was remanded in custody on the remaining counts. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge directed that a victim impact statement be prepared. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Dec2024Attempted murder charge against man who assaulted former partner with knife dropped
Reports the DPP's nolle prosequi on the attempted murder charge after the second hung jury (first hung jury was in March 2024). Cox remains in custody on three guilty pleas; sentence hearing set for 20 January 2025. Includes trial evidence from O'Brien and neighbour Alice McGrath describing the stabbing and threats.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)accused, Philip Cox, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Cox - 18 Dec2024Attempted murder charge against man who assaulted former partner with knife dropped
Reports the nolle prosequi (dropping) of the attempted murder charge after the second jury failed to reach a verdict, the DPP's direction, and the listing of a sentence hearing for 20 January on the remaining guilty pleas.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)accused, Philip Cox, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Cox - 10 Dec2024Woman tells attempted murder trial that ex-partner broke two knives during attack
Victim Cristal O'Brien gives detailed evidence of the attack, describing the argument, the knife threats, the stabbing of her leg twice, the breaking of two knives, and her escape with neighbour Alice McGrath before hiding behind a car until gardaí arrived.
victim, female, irish (judged from name)accused, Philip Cox, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Cox