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. 10864Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 21 Feb 2026

Woman refused bail over alleged assault and knife threat on partner, Dublin

Samantha Courtney, 39, has been charged with assault causing harm and with producing a knife to stab her partner, Derek Denton, a man in his 50s, over an alleged incident on Lealand Road in Clondalkin, Dublin, at around 8am on Saturday 21 February 2026. Derek Denton was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, where his condition was described as critical. Courtney made no reply when charged at Blanchardstown District Court on 23 February, and Judge David McHugh refused her bail. The latest development is that she will appear by video link at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday 2 March 2026 at 10.30am.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged22 Feb
  4. In court23 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Derek Denton, a man in his 50s, was allegedly assaulted and is in critical condition in hospital.
Where
The incident took place on Lealand Road in Clondalkin, Dublin; one report gives the address as Lealand Road, Bawnogue, Clondalkin.
When
The incident happened at around 8am on Saturday 21 February 2026.
Other details
  • Derek Denton is the partner and the father of one of Samantha Courtney's children.
  • Her solicitor said she would agree to bail conditions, including not contacting witnesses such as her son, and that friends and family offered a €500 surety.
Weapon
Samantha Courtney is accused of producing a knife to stab Derek Denton.
Investigation
  • Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage from anyone in the Lealand Road area between 7.30am and 8.30am.
  • Gardaí cited CCTV footage of the alleged incident and witness evidence when objecting to bail.
Charges
Samantha Courtney, 39, has been charged with assault causing harm and with producing a knife to stab her partner.
In court
  • Courtney made no reply when charged at Blanchardstown District Court on 23 February 2026.
  • Judge David McHugh refused bail, with gardaí citing the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence.
  • Courtney will appear by video link at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday 2 March 2026 at 10.30am.
Sentence
The charges carry maximum sentences of ten years for assault and seven years for producing a weapon; no sentence has been reported.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place on Lealand Road in Clondalkin. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place in Clondalkin in Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place at around 8am yesterday. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault happened on Saturday 21 February. (rte.ie)
  • weaponShe is accused of producing a knife to stab her partner. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them. (rte.ie)
  • investigationAnyone in the area of Lealand Road between 7.30am and 8.30am with information or dash cam footage is asked to contact investigating gardaí. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí cited CCTV footage of the alleged incident and witness evidence when objecting to bail. (rte.ie)
  • chargeA woman in her 30s has been charged in connection with the alleged assault. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe woman is accused of assault causing harm and of producing a knife to stab her partner. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe woman is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court the following day. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe woman appeared in court in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe woman made no reply when charged. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the risk she might not attend court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe woman will appear by video link at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday 2 March at 10.30am. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man in his 50s is in critical condition in hospital. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man was taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe woman was being detained at a garda station in the Dublin region. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe man's condition has been described as critical. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Feb2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Woman accused of producing knife to stab child's father

    Court appearance in Blanchardstown: the accused, Samantha Courtney, made no reply when charged and was refused bail. Bail was refused, and she will appear by video link at Blanchardstown District Court on 2 March.

    accused, Samantha Courtney, 39, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha Courtneyvictim, Derek Denton, 50s, maleDerek Denton
  2. 22 Feb2026
    Chargedrte.ie, follow-up
    Woman charged over alleged assault in Dublin

    Adds that the woman was charged, is due before Blanchardstown District Court, and that gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage. Gives the location as Lealand Road rather than Bawnogue, and does not name the people involved.

    victim, 50s, maleaccused, 30s, female