Brazilian man who stabbed ex-partner in Dublin to be sentenced in October
Pedro Cifali, a 37-year-old Brazilian man, stabbed his ex-partner Lucia Nezbalova, a 43-year-old woman, in the neck, back and abdomen at the front door of her home in Waterville, Dublin 15, on 10 May 2024 after tracking her car with an electronic tag and disguising himself. Cifali phoned a garda station the following morning and agreed to surrender himself, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Nezbalova. The DPP indicated a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years for the offence. Sentencing is set for 20 October 2025 before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted28 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cifali stabbed Nezbalova in the neck, back and abdomen at the front door of her home, with the abdominal wound severe enough that her organs were visible.
- Cifali tracked Nezbalova's car with an electronic tag and disguised himself with a baseball cap, a blonde wig, and a lighter-coloured beard before the attack.
- Where
- The attack took place at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15.
- When
- The attack occurred on 10 May 2024, after their relationship ended in April 2024.
- Investigation
- Cifali phoned a garda station the following morning and agreed to surrender himself.
- Charges
- Cifali pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Nezbalova.
- In court
- The DPP indicated a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years for the attempted murder.
- Ms Justice Eileen Creedon will hear pleas in mitigation on 20 October 2025 before passing sentence.
- Other details
- Cifali is the father of Nezbalova's daughter.
- A nearby doctor who had just arrived home from work kept Nezbalova alive until an ambulance arrived, and she now suffers PTSD, severe anxiety and depression as a result of the assault.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCifali stabbed Nezbalova in the neck, back and abdomen at the front door of her home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCifali placed an electronic tag under the bumper of Nezbalova's car to follow her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCifali disguised himself with a baseball cap, a blonde wig, and a lighter-coloured beard. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMembers of the public told security that Cifali appeared to be carrying a knife at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe wound to her abdomen was so severe that her organs were visible. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA nearby doctor who had just arrived home from work kept Nezbalova alive until an ambulance arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCifali phoned a garda station the following morning and agreed to surrender himself. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNezbalova suffers PTSD, severe anxiety and depression as a result of the assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack occurred on 10 May 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe relationship between Cifali and Nezbalova ended in April 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeCifali previously pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Nezbalova. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP indicated a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years for the attempted murder. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Eileen Creedon will hear pleas in mitigation on 20 October 2025 before passing sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherCifali is the father of Nezbalova's daughter. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 28 Jul2025Man tracked ex-partner’s car around Dublin before attempting to murder her, court hears
Pre-sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court where Det Sgt Mark Murphy detailed how Cifali tracked Nezbalova's car with an electronic tag, disguised himself at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, and stabbed her at her front door. The DPP indicated a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years. Sentencing adjourned to 20 October 2025.
victim, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, female, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Nezbalovaconvicted, Pedro Cifali, 37, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishPedro Cifali