Grandmother randomly stabbed in head in Dublin city centre while watching Christmas lights switch-on

A man has been remanded in custody pending sentence at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to the attempted murder of a grandmother in Dublin city centre on November 16, 2023. The victim, originally from the north and recently returned to settle in Westport, County Mayo, was struck from behind with a seven-inch knife while walking with her husband near Chatham Row after watching the Christmas lights switch-on. The blade passed through the back of her head, entering on the left side and exiting on the right side of her neck. She sustained superficial injuries requiring hospital treatment and was discharged the same evening. The defendant, aged 26 from north Dublin, told gardaí he had gone into town with a knife intending to harm someone at random. He was arrested the following day. The court heard evidence of the defendant's schizophrenia diagnosis and non-compliance with prescribed medication. The victim delivered a statement describing the unprovoked attack as having fundamentally altered her sense of safety and personal security.