Saturday 31 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. 20952Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 27 Nov 2021

Woman sentenced for assault on new mother in Blanchardstown, Dublin

On 27 November 2021 at Priorswood Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Miranda McCabe (37) jumped from a car, head-butted Stephanie Dunne as she stood in her porch, punched her several more times and put her in a headlock. McCabe made no admissions in her garda interview, and DNA from a clump of hair the victim pulled from her matched her. She pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Ms Dunne. In May 2023 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court she was jailed for nine months, with the judge having imposed two years with the final 15 months suspended, and a male co-accused remains before the courts.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 May
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • McCabe jumped from a car, head-butted Stephanie Dunne while she stood in her porch, punched her several more times and put her in a headlock.
  • A man was standing in the garden wearing black, gloves and a scarf over his face.
  • McCabe hit the victim's son by mistake when he opened the front door.
  • McCabe said 'This is only the start' as they left.
Where
The assault took place at Priorswood Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
When
The assault took place on 27 November 2021.
Cause
  • Ms Dunne had just returned home from visiting her premature baby in hospital when she noticed a man and a woman sitting in a car.
  • The judge said the motive for the attack was not clear and that there appeared to be a tenuous connection between the victim and McCabe.
Weapon
The man in the garden was holding what Ms Dunne described as butcher knives.
Investigation
McCabe made no admissions during her garda interview, and DNA from a clump of hair pulled from her by the victim matched her.
Charges
McCabe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Stephanie Dunne.
In court
  • Defence counsel said McCabe had mental health difficulties and that the offence was an isolated incident, while the judge found the attack was planned and frightening for the victim.
  • The victim read her own victim impact statement to the court.
Sentence
Reports give the sentence as jailed for nine months; the judge imposed two years and suspended the final 15 months on strict conditions.
Other details
McCabe has five previous convictions and is a single mother to three children, one of whom has significant medical needs. A male co-accused remains before the courts.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcCabe jumped from the car and head-butted the victim while she stood in her porch. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcCabe punched the victim several more times and put her in a headlock. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man from the car was standing in the victim's garden wearing black, gloves and a scarf over his face. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcCabe hit the victim's son by mistake when the son opened the front door. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcCabe said This is only the start as they left. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMcCabe jumped from a car and headbutted Ms Dunne, then punched her several more times and put her in a headlock. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe assault took place at Priorswood Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at Priorswood Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe assault took place on 27 November 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 27 November 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeA man and a woman were sitting in a car when the victim got out of her car. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe judge said the motive for the attack was not clear and that there appeared to be a tenuous connection between the injured party and McCabe. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe man was also holding what the victim described as butcher knives. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponA man in the garden was holding butcher knives, according to Ms Dunne. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationMcCabe made no admissions during her garda interview. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA from a clump of hair pulled from McCabe by the victim matched McCabe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDNA from a clump of hair pulled from McCabe matched her. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMcCabe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Stephanie Dunne. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • courtDefence counsel said McCabe had suffered from mental health difficulties. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDefence counsel said the offence was an isolated incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the motive for the attack was not clear. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge found the attack was planned and frightening for the victim. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe victim read her own victim impact statement to the court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMcCabe was jailed for nine months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of two years and suspended the final 15 months on strict conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe article headline reports McCabe was jailed for nine months. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim had just returned home from visiting her premature baby in hospital. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMcCabe has five previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcCabe is a single mother to three children, one of whom has significant medical needs. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 May2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman jailed for ‘savage’ attack on new mother of premature baby

    Sentencing report from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Adds the plea, the sentence, the victim's account, the DNA evidence and mitigation.

    convicted, Miranda McCabe, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Miranda McCabevictim, Stephanie Dunne, female, irish (judged from name)Stephanie Dunneaccused, male
  2. 24 May2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman jailed from attack on new mum returning from hospital visit to baby

    Court report on the sentencing of Miranda McCabe. Adds the sentence (two years with the final 15 months suspended), her five previous convictions, the DNA evidence, the victim impact statement and the judge's remarks. Mentions a male co-accused who remains before the courts.

    victim, Stephanie Dunne, female, irish (judged from name)Stephanie Dunneconvicted, Miranda McCabe, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Miranda McCabeaccused, male