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. 4250Assault causing harm, production of a knife · Co. Limerick · 19 Nov 2023

Stephen Byrnes jailed for four years after stabbing Damien Fitzpatrick during cocaine row in Limerick

Stephen Byrnes, 33, was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to five years for assault causing harm (final 12 months suspended) and three years concurrent for production of a knife, after stabbing Damien Fitzpatrick twice in the early hours of 19 November 2023 during a row over how to use cocaine at Byrnes' home in Limerick City.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOn 18 November 2023, Byrnes drove himself, Fitzpatrick, and a female from his home to Kerry where Fitzpatrick was residing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA female who had been with the two men identified Byrnes as the attacker. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatByrnes initially denied stabbing Fitzpatrick, claiming he had actually been stabbed, then later claimed self-defence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Byrnes' home on Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick City. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeByrnes was charged with one count of assault causing harm and one count of production of a knife during the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court found Byrnes guilty of both offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Colin Daly imposed a headline sentence of five years for the assault charge, with the final 12 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceByrnes entered a bond of €100, pledging to engage with a 12-month post-release probation service supervision order and to keep the peace for a year. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherByrnes had previous convictions including for assault causing harm and for production of articles capable of inflicting harm. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Dec2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man jailed for four years after stabbing man twice during cocaine binge

    Sentencing details: five years for assault causing harm (final 12 months suspended), three years concurrent for production of a knife; bond of €100, 12-month post-release probation supervision order, keep the peace for one year. Jury rejected Byrnes' self-defence claim. Judge noted Byrnes' history of drug addiction as mitigation.

    victim, Damien Fitzpatrick, male, irish (judged from name)Damien Fitzpatrickconvicted, Stephen Byrnes, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Byrnes