Courts / Dublin / Report

Man who held knife to friend's throat and started fire in his home is spared jail

Summary

In a 2015 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek Aylmer, aged 39, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after a six‑hour incident on Christmas night 2013 in which he held a knife to his friend Gerard Sheridan's throat, threatened self‑harm, and set fire to Sheridan's home. Aylmer had no prior convictions. Sheridan, an addiction counsellor, testified that Aylmer suffered from depression, had become more aware of it, and was on a waiting list for an alcohol awareness programme. Judge Martin Nolan, persuaded by Sheridan's testimony and Aylmer's remorse, imposed 150 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑year prison sentence. Aylmer subsequently sold a car and paid Sheridan for damages. The court noted that Aylmer's behaviour was out of character and that he had made amends for his actions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man who held knife to friend's throat and started fire in his home is spared jail. Charges or matters: criminal damage at the house in Walkinstown Road, Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• Christmas night 2013 Incident
• Christmas Incident
• Christmas night Other
• 2015-10-06 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Arson Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report