Saturday 31 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. 20634Assault (stabbing) with attempted robbery · Co. Dublin

Man sentenced to eight years for stabbing doctor in Dublin robbery attempt

On 28 January 2021 a man in Dublin's north inner city, Christopher Coakley, 31, approached a doctor travelling home on a motorised scooter, knocked him off the scooter and stabbed him with scissors while trying to take his backpack and scooter. Coakley was initially charged with attempted murder, but the DPP dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. At the Central Criminal Court on 19 June 2023, Mr Justice Paul Burns sentenced him to eight years, although the report of the sentence also states nine years with the final 12 months suspended. The most recent development reported is that sentence, with Coakley to be supervised by the probation service during the suspended period.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Jun
    3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Christopher Coakley, 31, was sentenced for stabbing a doctor with scissors during an attempted robbery.
  • Coakley kicked the handlebars of the scooter, knocking the victim to the ground.
  • Coakley tried to take the victim's backpack and scooter and said he would stab him if the victim did not hand them over.
Where
The victim was travelling through the north inner city on a motorised scooter after work, and the charge relates to an offence at Seville Place, Dublin.
When
The offence took place on 28 January 2021.
Cause
Coakley needed money for drugs when he approached the victim, a man he had never met before.
Weapon
Coakley had a pair of scissors clenched in his fist and stabbed the victim in the head, neck, chest and stomach.
Investigation
CCTV footage showed Coakley heading towards his home at Empress Place.
Charges
  • Coakley was initially charged with attempted murder, but the DPP dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm.
  • The court took into account charges related to the production of the scissors and attempted robbery.
In court
The judge said the attack was premeditated and that the offence attracted a headline sentence of eleven years.
Sentence
  • The judge reduced the sentence to nine years, with the final 12 months suspended for three years, while the report of the sentence also states eight years.
  • Mitigation included Coakley's guilty plea, a letter of apology and his history of drug addiction.
Other details
Coakley has 124 previous convictions.
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatChristopher Coakley was jailed for eight years at the Central Criminal Court. (rte.ie)
  • whatCoakley repeatedly stabbed a passing doctor with scissors in what the article calls a random, unprovoked and brutal attack. (rte.ie)
  • whatCoakley kicked the handlebars of the scooter and the victim fell to the ground. (rte.ie)
  • whatCoakley hit the victim with the scissors in the head and neck and twice in the chest. (rte.ie)
  • whatCoakley followed the victim and stabbed him a further three times in the stomach. (rte.ie)
  • whatChristopher Coakley, 31, was jailed for eight years by a judge at the Central Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCoakley repeatedly stabbed a passing doctor with scissors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man carried out a vicious stab attack on a doctor. (extra.ie)
  • whatThe man tried to rob the doctor. (extra.ie)
  • whereThe victim was travelling through the north inner city after work on a motorised scooter. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe victim was a doctor travelling through the north inner city after work on a motorised scooter. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe charge relates to an offence at Seville Place, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack took place in a Dublin street. (extra.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 28 January 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeCoakley needed money for drugs when he approached the victim. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponCoakley had a pair of scissors clenched in his fist. (rte.ie)
  • weaponCoakley was armed with a pair of scissors. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage showed Coakley heading towards his home at Empress Place. (rte.ie)
  • chargeCoakley was initially charged with attempted murder, but the DPP dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty. (rte.ie)
  • chargeCoakley pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm at Seville Place, Dublin, on 28 January 2021. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe judge took into account charges related to the production of the scissors and attempted robbery. (rte.ie)
  • chargeCoakley was initially charged with attempted murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe DPP dropped the attempted murder charge after Coakley pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe court took into account charges related to the production of the scissors and attempted robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the attack was premeditated. (rte.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of eleven years and reduced it to nine years. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe guilty plea, a letter of apology and his history of drug addiction were taken into account in mitigation. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceCoakley will live under the supervision of the probation service during the suspended sentence. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the offence attracted a headline sentence of eleven years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence to nine years, with the final 12 months suspended for three years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCoakley will be supervised by the probation service during the suspended period. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceA man was sentenced to eight years. (extra.ie)
  • otherCoakley knocked the victim from his e-scooter. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCoakley has 124 previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge took into account Coakley's guilty plea, apology letter and drug addiction history. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jun2023
    Sentencedextra.ie, first report
    Man Gets Eight Years For Vicious Stab Attack On Doctor He Tried To Rob In Dublin Street

    Article body is unrendered template code with no story text. The headline alone gives the sentence, the stabbing of a doctor, the attempted robbery and the Dublin location. No existing case matches.

    convicted, male
  2. 19 Jun2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Hutch relative Christopher Coakley jailed for stabbing passer-by with scissors

    Sentencing report for an incident in January 2021. The lede gives an eight-year jail term, while the body gives nine years with the final 12 months suspended. The article also says Coakley was originally charged with attempted murder, which the DPP dropped after his guilty plea. No existing case matches this incident.

    convicted, Christopher Coakley, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Coakleyvictim
  3. 19 Jun2023
    Sentencedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man jailed for 8 years over 'random, brutal' attack

    Sentencing report at the Central Criminal Court: details of the attack, the plea, the reduced sentence and the judge's remarks on drug addiction and premeditation.

    convicted, Christopher Coakley, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Christopher Coakleyvictim