A MAN WHO left a young Tipperary journalist fighting for her life after he stabbed her through the neck during an attempted robbery in Dublin has been jailed for seven years by Judge Patrick McCartan.
Leszek Jarosz (22), from Poland, who had been in Ireland just three weeks, changed his bloodstained clothes after the attack on Mairéad O'Dwyer before later robbing two men who were able to help gardaí identify him.
Jarosz, the Mills, Weavers Square, the Coombe, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing serious harm to Ms O'Dwyer and to attempting to rob her on May 19th, 2007.
He also admitted to robbing José Gonzalez and Luka Martinacon on the same night.
Judge McCartan noted that Jarosz referred to hearing "voices" before the attack when interviewed by gardaí but no psychiatric condition had been diagnosed either here or in Poland. He had given a similar account there after a burglary in which he had fractured a man's skull by hitting him with a metal object.
Judge McCartan imposed seven years for causing serious harm to Ms O'Dwyer and three years, to be served concurrently, for the two other robberies.
Jarosz, through an interpreter, told Judge McCartan: "I would like to say I am sorry to everyone here and to Mairéad O'Dwyer and the others who met me on that night."
He said he prayed nightly for Ms O'Dwyer's "return to good health". Jarosz said he wished to make a fresh start and be a good father to his new child who had been born to his girlfriend in Poland while he was in custody.
Fergal Foley, prosecuting, told Judge McCartan that Ms O'Dwyer had moved address because of the attack, was nervous on the street and had permanent scars to her neck and leg.
Mr Foley said the case was "indicative of the newly multicultural Ireland" in which most people came here to work hard and make a life for themselves but a few caused problems.
Insp Walter Kilcullen said Ms O'Dwyer, a researcher on the Newstalk programme Moncrieff, was walking home at about 2.50am from a work function in Harcourt Street when she was confronted by Jarosz wielding a knife.
Ms O'Dwyer was stabbed through her neck. She went from house to house seeking assistance and a man who heard her knocking found her collapsed.
Insp Kilcullen said Ms O'Dwyer was taken to hospital where she remained for a number of weeks. The knife passed completely through her neck, injuring her larynx and causing a tear in her throat. Part of a vein was taken from her leg to repair the neck wounds. She was on a feeding tube and ventilator for some time.
Insp Kilcullen said Jarosz returned home and changed his bloodstained clothes before returning to the street where 40 minutes later he brandished a knife at Mr Martinacon and Mr Gonzalez and demanded cash.
Jarosz was arrested following a surveillance operation.
Insp Kilcullen said Jarosz initially denied involvement but eventually admitted responsibility as evidence mounted. He told gardaí he had been drinking vodka and smoking hash before the attack.
Jarosz had eight convictions in Poland starting from age 11.