Good Samaritan drives stab victim to Limerick hospital

A GOOD Samaritan helped to save a man’s life after he was stabbed by a teenager in broad daylight, by stopping her car,

helping him into the back seat, ringing UHL to have a porter ready and rushing him to hospital, a court has heard.

An eye witness described the incident, which took place in the city shortly after midday, as “very alarming”, with a lot of “frantic behaviour” and said there was blood soaking through the victim’s clothes.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan described the woman as “very public-spirited”.

The man, aged in his mid 30s, had “active bleeding” from a deep laceration to the left side of his chest and abdomen, a penetrating lung injury and injury to his abdominal wall, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Judge Tom O’Donnell said a significant injury had been inflicted which required surgery and hospitalisation. The judge said the facts of the case were “very disturbing” as a teenager was “effectively roaming the streets with a knife of considerable length”.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Roxboro Road on May 3, 2023. Mr O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Detective Garda Seamus Murphy.

The prosecuting barrister told the court that the victim was threatened by the defendant who made a “slicing motion over his throat”.

“The victim ran across the road and hit the teenager a punch in the Adam’s apple. The accused dropped his phone. The victim threw the phone at the accused. The victim hit the teenager another punch. The defendant ran away, the victim caught up with him and this is where the stabbing took place. It was not justified. He was stabbed in the rib cage twice,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

It was at this point the Good Samaritan rushed the man to hospital.

Det Garda Murphy said they located the knife on the railway tracks after it was discarded by the teenager. DNA on the knife connected it to the defendant and to the victim. Det Garda Murphy said they found the exact same knife in the accused’s bedroom locker during a search of his home.

The now 18-year-old told gardai after he was arrested that he panicked after the victim ran after him and “I defended myself”.

“This is a dispute that has nothing to do with me. My mother was threatened,” the teenager told gardai. He also said he was a child so should be treated differently and was going to “shoot them all”.

The court heard the injured party declined to make a victim impact statement and has his own challenges in life as he is homeless and has issues with addiction.

Mr O’Sullivan said the accused has previous convictions for violent disorder, possession of knives, sale or supply of drugs, dangerous driving, theft and has been in Oberstown Children Detention Campus.

Pat Whyms BL, who represented the defendant, put it to Det Garda Murphy that there were tensions between different families? “Yes,” said Det Garda Murphy.

The barrister said his client had gone off the rails, was using substances and had consumed quite a number of tablets on the day of the stabbing. Det Garda Murphy said he didn’t believe the teenager was under the influence of an intoxicant.

Mr Whyms said the victim assaulted his client who ran away and was pursued by the victim who caught up with the accused.

“There was a background of tensions between the parties. He was in fear since he was 12. He has pleaded guilty. It was excessive. He has had a difficult life and came to rely upon on various drugs,” said Mr Whyms.

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The barrister said his client has been remanded in custody since May 2023 and is making the best use of his time by studying several courses and has his name down from Merchant’s Quay,” said Mr Whyms, who read out a letter written by the teenager.

He said he was deeply and truly sorry for his actions.

“I apologise to the injured party. I was young and stupid. Older people gave me drugs and pocket money. I am truly and honestly sorry and hope to make amends for my stupidity. I realise the pain I have caused to myself and others,” read out Mr Whyms.

The barrister said this is a crossroads for his client and hopefully he will take the right path from here.

Judge O’Donnell said he has said time and again that if people are going to engage in this type of behaviour they will have to face the consequences of their actions. The judge imposed a three year jail sentence which he backdated to May 2023 and suspended the last six months.