Ireland Son of late criminal admits attempted murder of ex-wife's friend
Matthias Kelly (42), son of the late veteran criminal Eamon Kelly, attempted to murder Fiona Timmermans, a friend of his former wife, by stabbing her with a serrated kitchen knife at her home in Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin, on 7 September 2024. On 1 September he had texted her saying he would cut her throat, and on 6 September he threw a brick through his ex-wife's window. Kelly pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempted murder and related offences, and at a sentencing hearing on 19 January 2026 the court heard he blamed Timmermans for his marriage break-up. The judge adjourned finalising the sentence to 16 February 2026 pending a neuropsychologist's report on Kelly's brain injuries.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced19 Jan
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthias Kelly, 42, attempted to murder Fiona Timmermans, a friend of his former wife, at her home in Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin, on 7 September 2024.
- Timmermans was stabbed in the forehead, face and neck and was treated at Beaumont Hospital, where she was discharged the same day.
- Other details
- A doctor's report said Timmermans may be left with permanent, visible scars.
- In a victim impact statement, Timmermans said the assault changed her life, that she has trouble sleeping, and that she fears being alone in her home.
- Kelly is an enhanced prisoner in Cloverhill Prison, where he has engaged with education.
- Kelly is of no fixed abode in Coolock, Dublin, and his father, Eamon Kelly, was shot dead in Killester, Dublin, on 4 December 2012.
- Cause
- Kelly told the court he blamed Timmermans for the break-up of his marriage, according to the court hearing.
- Weapon
- Kelly stabbed Timmermans with a kitchen knife with a serrated blade.
- When
- On 1 September 2024, Kelly sent Timmermans a text saying, "I'm going to cut your throat, you're dead."
- On 6 September 2024, Kelly threw a brick through a window of his ex-wife's home.
- Charges
- Kelly pleaded guilty to attempted murder, entering as a trespasser intending to murder, producing a knife, making a threat to kill, and criminal damage to his ex-wife's windows.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where a sentencing hearing took place on 19 January 2026.
- Lawyers for Kelly said he suffered a brain injury in a 2016 car crash and a further head injury in a fall down stairs two days before the assault.
- Sentence
- The judge adjourned finalisation of the sentence to 16 February 2026 pending a neuropsychologist's report.
8 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMatthias Kelly, 42, attempted to murder Fiona Timmermans, a friend of his ex-wife, at her home in Newbury Lawns, Clonshaugh, Dublin, on 7 September 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTimmermans sustained stab wounds to her forehead, face and neck and was treated at Beaumont Hospital, discharged the same day. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA doctor's report said Timmermans may be left with permanent, visible scars. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTimmermans wrote a statement saying the assault changed her life, she has trouble sleeping and fears being alone in her home. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponKelly used a kitchen knife with a serrated blade to stab Timmermans. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to attempted murder, entering as a trespasser intending to murder, producing a knife, making a threat to kill, and criminal damage to his ex-wife's windows. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly is an enhanced prisoner in Cloverhill Prison where he has engaged with education. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly is of no fixed abode in Coolock, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Jan2026Son of late criminal tried to murder ex-wife’s friend he blamed for marriage break-up
Sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court; Kelly is already an enhanced prisoner in Cloverhill Prison. The judge adjourned finalisation of the sentence to 16 February 2026 pending a neuropsychologist's report on his 2016 brain injury and a further head injury sustained two days before the assault.
victim, Fiona Timmermans, female, non-irish (judged from name)Fiona Timmermansconvicted, Matthias Kelly, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthias Kelly