Psychiatric nurse convicted of knife attacks

A psychiatric nurse has been convicted of stabbing three people after a row with his neighbours following an 18th birthday party.

Brian Quinn (46), formerly of Deer Park Avenue, Kiltipper, Tallaght, now living in Balbriggan, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Stephen Keogh, Lee Harte and James Toner snr on October 9th, 2011.

He had further pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Kurtis Lennon, James Toner jnr and Robert Ryan and production of a knife on the same date. The jury of two women and nine men convicted him yesterday on the charge of seriously assaulting Mr Harte and assaulting Mr Lennon and Mr Toner jnr causing them harm. He was also convicted of production of a knife. Quinn was acquitted of the remaining charges.

Judge Carmel Stewart thanked the jury for its attention during the trial and excused them from service for five years.

Remanded
Quinn had his bail revoked and was remanded in custody until next week, when a date will be set for sentence.

During the trial, the court heard medical evidence that Mr Harte got a blood transfusion after doctors discovered he had a collapsed lung and part of his bowel coming out from an abdomen wound.

Both Mr Lennon and Mr Toner Jnr suffered single stab wounds to their abdomens. Other medical evidence in relation to Mr Toner snr, a convicted drug dealer who has served jail terms in Ireland and in Scotland, stated he had part of his bowel removed during treatment for stab wounds.

The court heard the stabbings took place after an altercation outside the two neighbouring houses.