Thursday 29 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. 7246Attempted murder

Man jailed for attempted murder of ex-girlfriend moved to Midlands prison after phone found in cell

In 2014 Denis Leahy, 56, stabbed his ex-girlfriend Rose Kenny 22 times as she made her way to work at a creche, with a knife that went through her larynx. Kenny spent seven weeks in hospital fighting for her life. Leahy was jailed for attempted murder and is due for release in early 2025, though this may now be revoked. In October 2023 he was moved from Arbour Hill in Dublin to the Midlands prison after a mobile phone was found in his cell a couple of weeks earlier.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Denis Leahy, 56, stabbed Rose Kenny 22 times as she made her way to work at a creche.
When
The stabbing took place in 2014.
Weapon
A knife was used, and it went through Rose Kenny's larynx.
Other details
  • Rose Kenny spent seven weeks in hospital fighting for her life.
  • Leahy was held at Arbour Hill, a prison in Dublin, before being transferred to the Midlands prison.
  • A mobile phone was found in Leahy's cell a couple of weeks before the article was published on 29 October 2023.
  • A source said Leahy was believed to have been bullying older, more vulnerable inmates at Arbour Hill.
Sentence
  • Denis Leahy was jailed for attempted murder.
  • Leahy is due for release in early 2025 and could have been freed earlier with good behaviour, but this may now be revoked.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDenis Leahy knifed Rose Kenny 22 times as she made her way to work at a creche. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe stabbing took place in 2014. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe knife went through Rose Kenny's larynx. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceLeahy was jailed for attempted murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceLeahy is due for release in early 2025, and could have been freed earlier with good behaviour, but this may now be revoked. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLeahy was transferred from Arbour Hill to the Midlands prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherLeahy was found with a mobile phone in his cell a couple of weeks before the article. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRose Kenny spent seven weeks in hospital fighting for her life. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Oct2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Brute jailed for attempted murder of ex-girlfriend moved to tougher prison

    Covers the transfer of a sentenced prisoner after a phone was found in his cell, and gives background on the 2014 stabbing of Rose Kenny. Also includes an unproven allegation from a 2006 Thai case, which is not recorded here.

    convicted, Denis Leahy, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis Leahyvictim, Rose Kenny, female, irish (judged from name)Rose Kenny