The case of a cocaine-crazed man, who repeatedly stabbed another in a "shocking" attack after being refused admission to a private family party, was a "powerful lesson" to young people who used the drug, Judge Tony Hunt said at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Hunt said he invited those who answered a Health and Safety Executive survey published yesterday on the dangers of the drug to examine the two parties involved in the stabbing case - "both of whose lives have changed for the worse".
"I really wished the people who answered that survey would consider the facts of this case before they gave the responses they did," he said.
"It is a powerful lesson, if one were needed, to the degree people can lose control on such substances."
Barry Freeman (21), formerly of Deansrath Grove, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to trespassing and assault causing harm at a house party on December 10th, 2006.
Judge Hunt imposed a six-year sentence on Freeman for what he called "a flagrant and egregious attack" but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions.
"The injured party and society in general would be rightly critical of me if I did not mark the seriousness of this offence with a custodial sentence," he said.
"It is a fundamental principle that people are entitled to feel safe in their own home and they are entitled to look to the courts for protection in that."
Freeman stabbed the victim, a 40-year-old father, in the arms and thighs, leading to him requiring an operation on his legs, after he told him he could not join a 21st birthday party because "it was a family gathering".
Freeman returned to the house some time later brandishing a large knife with a five-inch blade and wearing black gloves.
He "jabbed at" his victim with the weapon while the man was standing on the stairs keeping his head down and holding up his arms to defend himself.
Paul Greene, defending, told Judge Hunt that Freeman's father was "significantly involved in crime" and was in and out of prison most of his son's life. His mother, who raised him, and his siblings died two years ago.
Judge Hunt said Freeman had "spun a wheel that could have ended up in the Central Criminal Court" and that it was "about as serious a matter as I could deal with".
Det Garda Brian O'Shaughnessy told Michael Bowman, prosecuting, that the victim was terrified through the whole ordeal and although he did not know his attacker, five other people at the party did and were able to identify him to gardaí.
Some people heard Freeman tell the victim, "I'll get you, I'll get you" after he refused him access to the house.
Freeman, who now lives in Glenmare Park, Rathfarnham, has several previous District Court convictions, including possession of a firearm and drugs.
Det Garda O'Shaughnessy agreed that Freeman has not lived in the same area since the offence and had moved to Tipperary for a short time before he returned to his new Dublin address.