A MAN who ran a knife across the throat of a man to “finish him off” so he could not identify him to gardaí, was yesterday jailed for six years at Trim Circuit Criminal Court.
The attack left the man partially paralysed and suffering nightmares during which he can still feel the knife cutting his neck.
Brian Byrne (27), of Rós na Rí, Commons Road, Navan and Dean Byrne (27), Cappagh Road, Finglas, Dublin both pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Andrew Slater (28) at his home in Rath Lodge, Ashbourne, Co Meath.
The court heard the injured man knew Brian Byrne through his brother and when Byrne rang his doorbell at 1.30am on May 16th, 2007 he thought it was to collect a shirt that he had borrowed from him.
When Mr Slater opened the door, Dean Byrne was also there and both men pushed their way in. Dean Byrne was brandishing a machete-style knife, prosecuting counsel Jonathan Kilfeather told the court.
Brian Byrne accused Mr Slater of damaging windows in his (Byrne’s) apartment. The court heard that Dean Byrne physically assaulted Mr Slater but did not stab him. The stab wounds were inflicted by Brian Byrne with a knife he took from the kitchen.
At one point when Mr Slater tried to escape he was caught and stabbed in the stomach and throat.
A second time when he tried to leave the house, Brian Byrne stabbed Mr Slater who fell on to the ground. Brian Byrne then got down beside him and attempted to slice his throat, counsel claimed.
Judge Michael O’Shea said Mr Slater suffered a horrifying ordeal which has had devastating effects. He jailed Brian Byrne for six years. Dean Byrne was jailed for three years for the assault charge and 3½ years for aggravated burglary.