'Natural storyteller' jailed after producing a knife to demand a cigarette
Niamh O'Donoghue
A "natural storyteller” who demanded a cigarette by producing a large knife, went to hug the injured party then kissed him on the back of his neck after he gave him one, a court has heard.
Martin McDonnell (32) of The Close, Eustace Demesne, Naas, Kildare pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette at Wellington Quay on June 13th, 2024.
McDonnell, who made “a homemade documentary on homelessness”, was attacked by an axe and has a permanent scar on the back of his head. He told gardaí in interview that he was stabbed seven times and “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
He was handed a two-year sentence on Friday, with the final 10 months suspended.
Imposing sentence, Judge Patricia Ryan said it would have been “very frightening” for the injured party to be approached in this way.
She noted that it was aggravating that McDonnell produced a large knife. The judge said the mitigation included McDonnell's guilty plea and expressions of remorse.
The judge back-dated the sentence to June 26th last, when McDonnell went into custody. She also directed McDonnell to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months following his release from custody.
McDonnell thanked the judge, saying he was “in a very bad place” and had been brought up in the care system, which failed him. He was picking up the pieces and wished to get better.
Detective Garda Robert Mahony previously gave evidence that the injured party was walking home from work after a night shift at 8am and was standing in a doorway when he was approached by McDonnell who asked him for a cigarette.
“When he refused, he (McDonnell) pulled a large knife from his trousers,” the garda told the court.
The injured party said McDonnell was aggressive but when he gave him the cigarette, McDonnell went to hug him and kissed him on the back of the neck.
McDonnell was arrested by appointment and made admissions in interview. He has 72 previous convictions for offences including road traffic, public order, criminal damage, failing to appear, firearms offences and four for assault.
Under cross-examination, Det Gda Mahony agreed that when the injured party handed over a cigarette he then “describes Mr McDonnell kissing him on back of neck” and the interaction “ended with fist bumps”.
He also agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that McDonnell then got on a bus to Naas where he was living at the time.
In interviews, McDonnell said he was stabbed seven times and “wouldn’t wish that on anyone”.
Det Gda Murray also agreed McDonnell was attacked by an axe and has a permanent scar on the back of his head.
When interviewed, he told gardaí, “I’m shocked”… “threats are out of character for me.” He told gardaí he only has a Stanley knife for work. He said he would “rather take his own life before another person’s”.
McDonnell spent several weeks on bail and then took a bench warrant. He has been in custody since last June.
In mitigation, Mr Rea said McDonnell lost his parents as a toddler in a road traffic accident. Counsel said despite having no exams McDonnell was an “extremely intelligent man”.
He has been homeless and on the housing list for 14 years. He was sleeping rough in Kildare with his partner and lived in a derelict house at the time of the incident, counsel said.
Mr Rea said McDonnell has five children and he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD and undiagnosed PTSD. McDonnell has “given urines” and “is working with Merchants Quay” where he has attended 11 one-to-one sessions, is doing an emotional regulation course and other courses.
Mr Rea said McDonnell made a “homemade documentary on homelessness” which was also archived. Counsel said his client was a “natural storyteller” who “has a story and tells it extremely well”.
The court was told that McDonnell is working with a drugs counsellor, is doing well in custody and has an offer of work and accommodation upon his release.
