Suspended sentence for woman who stabbed a man in the back eight times

A mother of one who stabbed a man eight times in the back in Drogheda, as he had "got the better" of her partner during a fight, has been given a two and a half year suspended sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court.

The court had previously heard that Megan Mackin of Patrick Tierney Crescent, Dundalk  was on her way to catch a train home when she came upon both men fighting, after a baby-sitting issue cut short her night out.

The defendant’s partner had been drinking with friends in Dublin on July 2nd 2022 and had returned by train to Drogheda, when he got into an argument with one of them in the train station car park, with the victim ending up on top of him with his top off.

He thought Megan Mackin had struck him on the back several times and after he walked away he discovered blood down his back and realised he’d been stabbed.

READ NEXT: Man threatened to stab couple in the neck at Louth supermarket

The victim required 52 stitches in hospital.

The court previously heard Ms Mackin had a €1,000 in court for him, had no previous convictions, had not come to adverse garda attention and had intervened after the injured party got the better of her partner. 

The case was put back for her to provide five clean urinalysis reports.

In finalising the matter last Thursday, Judge Dara Hayes noted the defendant was extremely remorseful and previously struggled with addictions and poor mental health, but is now leading a stable lifestyle and had completed an anger management programme through Turas.

He added she is the sole carer for her daughter and her addiction counsellor has seen a huge change in her.

As part of the sentence being suspended for two and a half years, Judge Hayes directed Ms Mackin to enter a bond to be of good behaviour during that period and to abstain from possessing and consuming all illicit substances.