Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 14775Assault causing harm and production of a knife · Co. Louth · 9 Jan 2021

Beautician given suspended sentence for knife attack on woman in Dundalk

On 9 January 2021, a woman was assaulted with a knife at Greenacres Shopping Centre in Dundalk, County Louth. Patricia McGuigan, 31, was convicted by a jury at Dundalk Circuit Court of assault causing harm and production of a knife. As reported on 28 January 2025, the judge imposed three and a half years for assault causing harm, with two years concurrent for the knife offence, suspended in its entirety, and ordered no direct or indirect contact with the victim or her family.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A beautician was convicted by a jury of assault causing harm and production of a knife.
  • The defendant swung a knife at the victim seven or eight times and tried to pull the key from the ignition.
Where
The offences took place at Greenacres Shopping Centre, Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The offences took place on 9 January 2021.
Cause
The attack was linked to the victim's relationship with the defendant's ex-partner.
Weapon
The defendant used a knife in the attack on the victim.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, and the court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.
Sentence
  • The judge imposed three and a half years for assault causing harm and two years concurrent for the knife offence.
  • The judge suspended the sentence in its entirety.
  • The judge directed that the defendant have no direct or indirect contact with the injured party or members of her family.
Other details
  • The victim required 10 staples to her scalp at Daisy Hill hospital in Newry.
  • The victim was prepared to accept €10,000 being offered.
  • The defendant was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA beautician was convicted by a jury of assault causing harm and production of a knife. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant swung a knife at the victim seven or eight times and tried to pull the key from the ignition. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Greenacres Shopping Centre, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on January 9th 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe attack was linked to the victim's relationship with the defendant's ex-partner. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponThe defendant attacked the victim with a knife. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe court heard the defendant had no previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed three and a half years for assault causing harm and two years concurrent for the knife offence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge suspended the sentence in its entirety. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed that the defendant have no direct or indirect contact with the injured party or members of her family. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim required 10 staples to her scalp at Daisy Hill hospital in Newry. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim was prepared to accept €10,000 being offered. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jan2025
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    A beautician attacked a woman with a knife in Dundalk

    First report of the sentencing at Dundalk Circuit Court. The offences date from January 2021.

    convicted, Patricia McGuigan, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Patricia McGuiganvictim, female