Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend 50 Times

A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, who suffered severe injuries after being stabbed over 50 times. Josh O’Brien, 22, attacked Niamh Kelly, 21, on September 19, 2024, in a brutal assault that left her with lifelong physical and emotional scars.

During the sentencing at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring described the violence inflicted by O’Brien as “breathtaking.” She emphasized that Kelly’s survival was “nothing short of a miracle,” but noted that her life has changed drastically as a result of the attack. “All of this was avoidable,” she stated, highlighting the profound impact of O’Brien’s actions on Kelly’s life.

O’Brien’s attack occurred while Kelly was preparing for a concert the following day—a celebration that never took place due to the violent turn of events. The judge articulated that Kelly now faces limitations and challenges that no one should endure. “Relationships should be based on love, respect and trust, not manipulation, abuse and violence,” she declared.

In light of the extreme violence displayed, including the use of a knife O’Brien had carried for some time, the judge initially set a headline sentence of 19 years. However, taking into account O’Brien’s admission to the Gardaí, his early guilty plea, and his lack of prior convictions, the sentence was reduced to 15 years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended. O’Brien is also prohibited from contacting Kelly for five years following his release.

Outside the court, Kelly expressed her disappointment at the sentence, wishing for a harsher punishment. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that O’Brien would not escape accountability for his actions. “I respect the judge’s decision,” she stated. Kelly continues to undergo physiotherapy to regain strength in her leg and relies on a wheelchair for longer distances. Despite her ongoing struggles, she remains grateful for the opportunity to advocate for herself and her son.

The assault, which lasted up to six minutes, was described by Det Gda John Dalton during the trial. He revealed that a fragment of the knife remains lodged in Kelly’s skull. After the attack, she spent seven months in hospital and continues to require therapy. Kelly has lost vision in one eye due to the injuries sustained during the attack.

The relationship between O’Brien and Kelly, which lasted over a year and produced a son, became tumultuous in the summer of 2023. Dalton recounted instances of O’Brien verbally abusing Kelly on social media. Just two months before the stabbing, he had physically assaulted her, threatening to kill her.

On the day of the attack, O’Brien attempted to rekindle their relationship, but the situation escalated quickly when he started to punch and kick Kelly. After pushing her to the ground, he produced a knife and began stabbing her repeatedly. Kelly described the weapon as “a flicky blade,” recounting how she pleaded with him to stop during the assault.

In O’Brien’s police interview, he claimed to have been influenced by voices urging him not to accept “disrespect.” He admitted to consuming alcohol before the attack, asserting that he did not intend to kill Kelly, but rather acted under the influence of those voices.

In her victim impact statement, Kelly reflected on the irreversible changes in her life. “I was defenceless… Only for an off-duty paramedic, I would have been left to die,” she said, expressing how her aspirations and future plans feel as if they have been irrevocably altered. As a young woman of 21, she articulated the emotional toll of the attack, stating, “I feel that my future has been destroyed.”