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. 6665Assault · Co. Dublin

Sex abuse convict assaulted in Dublin court dock during sentencing

On 29 January 2024, during the sentencing hearing of a man from Dublin at the Criminal Courts of Justice, two men approached him in the dock while evidence was being heard and a scuffle followed. The man had earlier been convicted at the Central Criminal Court of 11 counts of sexual abuse against one girl and one count of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second teenager. Prison staff and gardaí restrained the two men and removed them from the court room, and the man, who was bleeding, was taken for medical attention. Mr Justice Paul Burns called the events a serious breach of security, remanded the man in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men approached the accused in the dock while evidence was being heard and a scuffle ensued.
  • The accused was assaulted in the dock and was bleeding afterwards.
  • The two men were restrained and removed from the court room by prison staff and gardaí.
Where
The sentencing hearing took place at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin.
When
  • The assault happened while the prosecuting garda was giving evidence about the abuse of two girls.
  • The incident was reported on 29 January 2024.
In court
The accused had been convicted at the Central Criminal Court of 11 counts of sexual abuse against one girl and one count of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second teenager.
Investigation
The judge said the incident would have to be investigated by the Courts Service.
Other details
  • The judge described the events as a serious breach of security.
  • The accused was taken to get medical attention.
Sentence
The judge remanded the accused in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men approached the accused in the dock while evidence was being heard and a scuffle ensued. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe men were restrained and removed from the court room by prison staff and gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe sentencing hearing took place at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened while the prosecuting garda was giving evidence about the abuse of the two girls. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe judge said what occurred would have to be investigated by the Courts Service. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe accused had been convicted in the Central Criminal Court of 11 counts of sexual abuse against one girl and one count of causing a child to watch pornography in relation to a second teenager. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge remanded the accused in continuing custody and adjourned the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe accused was bleeding and was taken to get medical attention. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the events as a serious breach of security. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Sexual abuser left bleeding after being assaulted in the dock during sentencing

    Reports that the sentencing hearing was halted after two men assaulted the accused in the dock, and that the accused was bleeding and taken for medical attention. The judge described it as a serious breach of security and remanded the accused in custody, adjourning the sentence hearing to 26 February 2024.

    convicted, 46, malesuspect, malesuspect, male