Thursday 29 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. 7568Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 16 May 2022

Teen pleads guilty to assaulting lesbian couple in Dublin

On 16 May 2022, Robyn Deane, 22, and her partner Kate McCabe, 25, were assaulted on Drumcondra Road Upper in Dublin. The suspect is a boy who was 15 at the time, and the articles report that he used a homophobic slur before punching the couple. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Children's Court, and on 6 September 2023 the court adjourned sentencing for reports. He is due to appear again in 12 weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Robyn Deane, 22, and Kate McCabe, 25, are the two women named as victims of assault causing harm.
  • The suspect is described as a boy in the articles and as a man in the case facts, and he was 15 at the time of the incident and 17 at the court hearing.
  • The boy used a derogatory term, described in one article as a homophobic slur, and repeatedly punched the couple in an assault lasting less than a minute.
  • Ms McCabe suffered bruising to her neck, arms and hand.
Where
The assault happened on Drumcondra Road Upper in Dublin, on a busy street in broad daylight.
When
The assault happened on 16 May 2022.
Cause
Gardaí suspected the couple were targeted because they had displayed affection, and the couple had been cuddling at a bus shelter.
Investigation
The incident is categorised as a hate crime on the Garda system, and the boy and a man left the scene and were captured on CCTV.
Charges
The boy pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on both women.
Other details
The defence said the boy was under the influence of drugs at the time, and Garda Phelan said he was the main aggressor.
In court
  • At Dublin Children's Court on 6 September 2023, the judge described the victim impact statements as shocking, and one source says pretty shocking.
  • Sentencing was adjourned for probation, restorative justice and community service assessment reports, and the boy is due to appear again in 12 weeks.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed yet.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe boy pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Robyn Deane and Kate McCabe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe boy was 17 at the time of the court hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe boy shouted a derogatory term at the couple. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe incident happened in broad daylight on a busy street. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMs McCabe suffered bruising to her neck, arms and hand. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened on Drumcondra Road Upper in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 16 May 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí suspected the couple were targeted because they had displayed affection. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe incident was categorised as a hate crime on the Garda system. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe boy and the man left the scene and were captured on CCTV. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the victim impact statements as pretty shocking. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSentencing was adjourned for updated probation, restorative justice and community service assessment reports. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe teen is due to appear again in 12 weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the boy was under the influence of drugs at the time. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda Phelan said the boy was the main aggressor and the incident lasted less than a minute. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Sep2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Judge describes suspected hate attack on lesbian couple in Dublin as 'shocking'

    Court appearance at Dublin Children's Court: the boy pleaded guilty, sentencing was adjourned for reports, and the judge described the victim impact statements as pretty shocking. Gardaí believe the attack was motivated by the couple's sexuality, and it is categorised as a hate crime.

    convicted, 17, malevictim, Robyn Deane, 22, female, irish (judged from name)Robyn Deanevictim, Kate McCabe, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Kate McCabe