Suspended sentence for man who confessed to stabbing man in the back in Cork City on New Year's Eve

A young man confessed to stabbing another man in the back on New Year’s Eve 2021 in Cork city and now he has been given a suspended sentence of two and a half years.

Ben Murray, 21, who was living in a flat at 1 John Redmond Street, Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to the other man on December 31 2021 at Castle Street, Cork.

Judge James McCourt said, “The fact that you went out and about with a knife in your possession is certainly an aggravating factor.”

The judge said it was fortunate that the victim had recovered and did not have long-term health consequences other than scarring.

“I regard the extent of the injuries as an aggravating factor. A mitigating factor is your early plea of guilty, your cooperation with the investigation and I note you have shown remorse.

“That is backed up by a manifestation of your significant insight – after the event you have gone away from negative peers and got away from cannabis use and abuse. You have yourself a job and you are back under the protective umbrella of your family home.

“You had barely turned 19 when this criminality occurred. You displayed some significant degree of maturity in the nearly two years since this occurred.

“Brandishing a knife and using a knife would ordinarily attract a custodial sentence.

“Given the efforts you have made – including the fact that you are gainfully employed – I think the interests of society would not be served (by a custodial sentence) so I am going to suspend the entirety of the sentence.”

Judge McCourt suspended the sentence of two and a half years on the condition that the accused would keep the peace for the next three years.