Teenager stabbed homeless man in the chest in Temple Bar

A DUBLIN teenager who stabbed a homeless man in the chest and head and carried out two robberies has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended.

Darren Donovan (18), with an address in Parlickstown Gardens, Mulhuddart, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to John Joseph Joyce in Temple Bar on June 27, 2015.

He also pleaded guilty to robbing a city centre Spar of €400 and robbing a man of his wallet in a city centre laneway on March 22, 2013.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Donovan believed Mr Joyce had previously assaulted his brother when he set upon him, stabbing him in the chest and head.

Mr Joyce suffered scarring to his lungs, ear and hand as a result of the attack. He also had to have his spleen removed.

“(Donovan) planned the offence and was seeking revenge,” Judge Sarah Berkeley said. “It’s lucky the injured party did not have more serious injuries.”

The judge noted Donovan was one of 13 children, who grew up in difficult financial circumstance and who suffered from “situational depression”.

She sentenced him to a total of five years’ imprisonment for the three offences, but suspended the final 18 months on several conditions, including that he be of good behaviour.g

Report by Isabel Hayes