Wednesday 28 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. 3865Attempted murder (stabbing) · Co. Dublin · 10 May 2024

Pedro Cifali jailed for 16 years for attempted murder of former partner Lucia Nezbalova

Pedro Cifali, a 37-year-old Brazilian man (one report gives his age as 39), stabbed his former partner Lucia Nezbalova, a 43-year-old woman, at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15, on 10 May 2024. He was first taken into custody on 15 May 2024, and he later pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Ms Nezbalova. On 9 February 2026 Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court jailed him for 16 years, with a further 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation services, backdated to 15 May 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Feb
    3 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Cifali stabbed Nezbalova in the neck, behind the ear, in the back of the head, in the stomach and arms, and she suffered defensive wounds on her face and hands.
  • The wound to her abdomen was so severe that her organs were visible.
  • Doctors described her injuries as life-threatening, and she survived due to the intervention of a doctor who lived nearby and heard the screams.
  • The attack was unprovoked and has left Nezbalova with restricted movement, PTSD, depression and anxiety, and she requires further surgery.
Where
The attack took place at the front door of Nezbalova's home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15.
When
The relationship between Cifali and Nezbalova ended in April 2024, and the attack occurred on 10 May 2024.
Cause
The premeditated attack was motivated in part by jealousy of Nezbalova's new relationship.
Weapon
Cifali armed himself with a knife and stabbed Nezbalova with it.
Investigation
  • After the break-up Cifali placed an electronic tag under the bumper of Nezbalova's car, and CCTV showed him following her to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and parking about 100 metres from her car.
  • CCTV showed him wearing a baseball cap, a blonde wig and a lighter-coloured beard, and standing at the shopping centre entrance while she went to McDonald's.
  • Members of the public saw him acting suspiciously and told security he appeared to be carrying a knife, and he left before security could find him.
Charges
Cifali pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova.
In court
Justice Eileen Creedon sentenced Cifali at the Central Criminal Court on 9 February 2026.
Sentence
  • Cifali was jailed for 16 years, with a further 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation services, after a headline sentence of 20 years was reduced for his guilty plea and lack of previous convictions.
  • The sentence is backdated to 15 May 2024, when Cifali first went into custody.
Other details
Nezbalova is the only provider for her children and lacks family support in Ireland.
51 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe stabbed her in the neck, behind the ear, in the back of the head, in the stomach and arms (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe suffered defensive wounds on her face and hands (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe wound to her abdomen was so severe that her organs were visible (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whatDoctors described her injuries as life-threatening (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatShe survived only due to the intervention of a doctor who happened to live nearby and heard the screams (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe attack was unprovoked (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim has restricted movements and suffers PTSD, depression and anxiety (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHer mobility is limited and she requires further surgery (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAfter the break-up he placed an electronic tag under the bumper of her car (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed Cifali arriving at a garage in Blanchardstown in his distinctive blue work van minutes after Ms Nezbalova (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe tracked her to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and parked about 100 metres from her car (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe stood at the shopping centre entrance while she went to the McDonald's restaurant inside (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe donned a disguise and followed her using an electronic tag attached to her car. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe stabbed her in the neck, behind the ear, in the back of the head, in the stomach and arms, and she suffered defensive wounds on her face and hands. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatDoctors described her injuries as life-threatening and said she survived only due to a nearby doctor who heard the screams. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThe attack was unprovoked and left the victim with restricted movements, PTSD, depression and anxiety. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatFollowing the break-up, he placed an electronic tag under the bumper of her car. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatCCTV showed him arriving at a garage in Blanchardstown in his blue work van minutes after her, then tracking her to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe parked about 100 metres from her car and stood at the shopping centre entrance while she went to McDonald's. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe wore a baseball cap pulled down over his forehead and a blonde wig, and his beard was lighter than its natural colour. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatMembers of the public noticed him acting suspiciously and told security he appeared to be carrying a knife. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatHe left before security could find him and travelled to her home at Garnish Square to wait for her return. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatPedro Cifali, 39, a Brazilian with a former address in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova, 43. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCifali stabbed Nezbalova in the neck, behind the ear, in the back of the head, in the stomach and arms, and she suffered defensive wounds on her face and hands. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDoctors described her injuries as life-threatening and she survived due to the intervention of a doctor who happened to live nearby. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAfter their relationship ended in April 2024, Cifali placed an electronic tag under the bumper of Nezbalova's car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCCTV showed Cifali arriving at a garage in Blanchardstown in his blue work van minutes after Nezbalova, then tracking her to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and parking about 100m from her car. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMembers of the public noticed Cifali acting suspiciously and told security he appeared to be carrying a knife; he left before security could find him. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe attack was unprovoked and left Nezbalova with restricted movements, PTSD, depression and anxiety, and she requires further surgery. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatNezbalova is the only provider for her children and lacks family support in Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe attack took place at the front door of her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe attack took place at the front door of Nezbalova's home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe relationship between the accused and Ms Nezbalova ended in April 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe attack occurred on 10 May 2024. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe relationship between Cifali and Nezbalova ended in April 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causePart of the motivation for the premeditated attack was jealousy of Ms Nezbalova's new relationship (irishmirror.ie)
  • causePart of the motivation for the premeditated attack was jealousy of her new relationship. (dublinlive.ie)
  • weaponHe armed himself with a knife, donned a disguise and followed her using an electronic tag attached to her car (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponCifali armed himself with a knife. (dublinlive.ie)
  • weaponCifali stabbed Nezbalova with a knife. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeCifali previously pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtJustice Eileen Creedon sentenced Cifali at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCifali was jailed for 16 years for attempting to murder his former partner (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge set a headline sentence of 20 years before considering mitigation (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe most significant mitigation was his guilty plea and lack of previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe final sentence was 16 years with a further 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation services (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence is backdated to May 15, 2024, when Cifali first went into custody (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCifali was jailed for 16 years with a further 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation services. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was 20 years before mitigation. (dublinlive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 15 May 2024 when Cifali first went into custody. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCifali was sentenced to 16 years with a further 12 months suspended on condition of engaging with probation services. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Feb2026
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man jailed for attempted murder of former partner after tracking car and stabbing her

    Sentencing report: Cifali received a 16-year sentence (backdated to May 2024) after pleading guilty; victim's statement and CCTV evidence of the premeditated tracking and disguise detailed.

    convicted, Pedro Cifali, 39, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishPedro Cifalivictim, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, female, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Nezbalova
  2. 9 Feb2026
    Sentenceddublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Man jailed for attempting to murder ex after wearing disguise and tracking car

    Sentencing details: 16-year term (headline 20 years reduced for guilty plea and no previous convictions), 12 months suspended, backdated to 15 May 2024. Victim's statement read in court describing life-threatening injuries, PTSD and limited mobility. CCTV evidence of the disguise (baseball cap, blonde wig, lighter beard) and tracking via electronic tag under the car bumper.

    convicted, Pedro Cifali, 37, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishPedro Cifalivictim, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, female, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Nezbalova
  3. 9 Feb2026
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Jail for man who tried to murder ex after wearing disguise and tracking car

    Sentencing hearing details: 16-year sentence (headline 20 years reduced for guilty plea and no previous convictions), 12 months suspended on probation condition, backdated to 15 May 2024. Victim's impact statement read in court. Premeditation details including electronic tracking tag, blonde wig, baseball cap, and lighter-coloured beard.

    convicted, Pedro Cifali, 37, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishPedro Cifalivictim, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, female, non-irish (judged from name)Lucia Nezbalova