Courts / Dublin / Report

Accused acquitted of slitting man's throat

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 49‑year‑old Mark Morgan was found not guilty of slitting the throat of 22‑year‑old Dean Purdue on 20 January 2017. The alleged assault took place outside Purdue's family home on Belcamp Lane, Priorswood, where Purdue was seated in his girlfriend's parked car. Purdue described a sudden attack, a jagged four‑centimetre cut, and a subsequent run‑off by the assailant. He identified Morgan as the attacker, but no independent witnesses, CCTV or forensic evidence were presented. Morgan denied the charge, claiming he did not know Purdue personally. After a two‑hour, ten‑minute deliberation, the jury returned a not‑guilty verdict. Judge Pauline Codd thanked the jury for their duty during this difficult time.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused acquitted of slitting man's throat. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to Dean Purdue at Belcamp Lane, Priorswood, on January 20, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• January 20, 2017 Incident
• 2020-09-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report