Case No. 0606Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 2 Jan 2025
Man jailed for stabbing childhood friend in Portmarnock during cannabis-induced psychosis
On 2 January 2025, Neal Brennan, 29, of Sutton, stabbed childhood school friend Cian Brennan in the back on Station Road, Portmarnock, Dublin, while in a cannabis-induced psychosis. The victim was hospitalised for four days and the wound required surgery. Brennan was arrested later that night and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. In July 2026, the judge set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three and a half years for the guilty plea and lack of previous convictions, with the balance suspended on strict conditions for four years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Neal Brennan stabbed childhood school friend Cian Brennan in the back as the victim was getting into the passenger side of the car.
- Where
- The stabbing took place on Station Road, Portmarnock, Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred on 2 January 2025.
- Cause
- Brennan was in a cannabis-induced psychosis at the time and had been experiencing low mood and anxiety since August 2019.
- Investigation
- Brennan was arrested later that night after gardaí were given a description and car details, and made no significant admissions during his interview.
- Charges
- Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- The judge set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three and a half years for the guilty plea and lack of previous convictions, backdated to January 2025 with the balance suspended on strict conditions for four years.
- Other details
- The offence was aggravated by the use of a weapon and the stabbing in the back.
- The victim was hospitalised for four days and the wound required surgery.
- Brennan has no previous convictions and has been on remand in custody since his arrest.
- Brennan confirmed he no longer uses cannabis, is taking anti-depressants, and read a letter to the court expressing his deepest remorse.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNeal Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Cian Brennan. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe victim and Brennan were childhood school friends. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim was hospitalised for four days and the wound required surgery. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBrennan stabbed his friend in the back as the victim was getting into the passenger side of the car. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe stabbing took place on Station Road, Portmarnock. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- causeBrennan had been experiencing low mood and anxiety since August 2019 and had been referred for psychiatric assessment. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- causeBrennan was in the middle of a cannabis-induced psychosis at the time of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationBrennan was arrested later that same night after gardaí were given a description and car details. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationBrennan made no significant admissions during his interview with gardaí. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationBrennan was arrested later that same night after gardaí were alerted with a description and car details. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeNeal Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe headline sentence was five years, reduced to three and a half years for the guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was backdated to January 2025 and the balance suspended on strict conditions for four years. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceConditions include no illicit drugs, no contact with the victim, engaging with HSE community mental health team, and random drug tests. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to 3½ years for the guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrennan has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherBrennan confirmed he no longer uses cannabis and is taking anti-depressants in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBrennan suffered bereavements while in custody including the death of his father. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was hospitalised for four days. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe offence was aggravated by the use of a weapon and the stabbing in the back. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrennan has been on remand in custody since his arrest. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBrennan read a letter to the court expressing his deepest remorse. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Jul2026‘I remember the person he used to be’: Man in cannabis psychosis stabbed childhood friend
Sentencing report detailing the stabbing, the victim's impact statement, the judge's reasoning on reduced moral responsibility due to cannabis-induced psychosis, and the partly suspended sentence.
victim, Cian Brennan, male, irish (judged from name)Cian Brennanconvicted, Neal Brennan, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neal Brennan - 13 Jul2026Man stabbed childhood friend in the back during cannabis-induced psychosis
Sentencing report detailing the stabbing, the victim's impact statement, the role of cannabis-induced psychosis, and the partly-suspended sentence with conditions.
victim, Cian Brennan, male, irish (judged from name)Cian Brennanconvicted, Neal Brennan, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Neal Brennan