A criminal with 124 convictions who repeatedly stabbed a passing doctor with scissors in a “random, unprovoked and brutal attack” has been jailed for eight years by a Central Criminal Court judge, reports Breaking News.
Christopher Coakley, 31, needed money for drugs when he approached his victim, a doctor who was traveling through the north city centre after work on a scooter.
Coakley kicks the scooter’s handlebars, and as his victim falls to the ground, Coakley approaches him with scissors in his fist and tries to take his backpack and scooter.
The victim, who had never met Coakley before, heard the attacker say, “Who the f**k do you think you are, give it to me now or I’ll stab you,” reports Breaking News.
When the victim tried to run away, still holding the backpack and scooter, Coakley stabbed him twice in the head and neck and chest with scissors. The victim tried to run toward Spencer Dock, but Coakley followed and stabbed him three more times in the abdomen.
Judge Paul Burns said the attack was premeditated, with Coakley displaying a “breathtaking and shocking” disregard for injury as he repeatedly stabbed his victim.
Considering Coakley’s guilty plea, a letter of apology he wrote and a history of drug addiction, the judge reduced the sentence to nine years, with the last 12 months suspended for three years.
The judge noted that Coakley began using drugs and alcohol at a young age and was first arrested at age 13, reports Breaking News.
At a hearing earlier this month, Conor Byrne said the victim was a doctor who worked at Mountjoy Prison in 2021. He had just finished his shift and was driving along Seville Place in the north inner city area around 4pm when Coakley, wearing a dark gray track suit, attacked him.
Coakley was linked to the attack based on CCTV footage and DNA found on the victim’s backpack and jacket, and was arrested in June 2021.
The doctor estimated the loss of earnings at €3,850 and lost his jacket, sweater and backpack, which he estimated at €400. His mobility was limited for several months, and he was unable to engage in any physical activity for two months, reports Breaking News.
In a statement written by the victim, she said she had been feeling anxious since the attack. He said he had become “hyper alert” and was living in a “heightened state of vigilance”.
He added: “I don’t think I will ever forget what happened to me but hopefully with the passage of time I will feel as safe as I did when I first came to Ireland,” reports Breaking News.
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