Dublin man Sean Dunne, who threatened to rape and kill American tourists at the Ashling Hotel, has been sentenced to two years in prison

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Sean Dunne (26) pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to a man and woman at the Ashling Hotel in Parkgate Street, Dublin, on April 7, 2023.

Dunne, of Marrowbone Lane, St Catherines Foyer, Dublin, has 10 previous convictions for offenses including threatening and abusive behaviour, breach of a restraining order and criminal damage.

Lady Justice Sarah Berkeley described the incident as a “brutal attack” on a married couple visiting from the US.

He sentenced Dunne to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, and set time in custody for April 2023.

Garda Stephen Lawlor told Michael Horrigan BL, prosecuting, that he was on mobile patrol on the night in question. Just after 9 p.m., he received a call about the alleged assault. When he arrived at the hotel, he found a man, later identified as Dunne, being restrained on the hallway floor. He also noticed blood on the carpet.

The court heard Dunne was arrested, cautioned at the scene and placed in a security van. Gardaí spoke to both injured parties; They were an American couple in their sixties. They said they returned to the hotel after eating local dinner. They went to the hotel bar and ordered a drink before getting into the elevator. Dunne also entered the elevator.

Gda Lawlor said Dunne told the woman he was going to “rape and kill her”, meaning her husband. He then started attacking her husband by hitting the woman’s mouth. The woman pressed the panic button. When the elevator door opened, the woman screamed for help and two more people came to help.

The court heard Dunne was still attacking the man and there was blood everywhere. As Dunne was subdued by onlookers, he continued to say he would “kill” the man. The man fell to his knees and was shaking. The couple was treated at the scene in the emergency room but did not require hospital treatment.

The woman told gardaí it was an unprovoked attack. The court heard it was the couple’s last night in Ireland and they returned to the US the next day. Images of the injuries of both injured people were presented to the court.

Dunne was interviewed but denied the allegation that he had attacked one of the injured parties. He has been in custody since April 2023. Dunne received a trial date but entered a plea before the hearing.

Gda Lawlor agreed with defense counsel that it was a “frenzied attack” and that Dunne did not know the couple.

The garda agreed with counsel that Dunne showed signs of someone having a psychotic break and suffering from schizophrenia, which was diagnosed in 2020.

The court heard Dunne was homeless and had turned to addictive substances. He has been doing very well since his detention and his mental health has improved significantly.

Dunne is currently on medication. He is cleared of all addictive substances and is tested regularly in prison.

On the last hearing date in June, Judge Berkeley instructed the probation units to prepare a report and adjourned the case for the sentencing.

Sentencing, Judge Berkeley said the victims were in their late 60s and much older than the defendants.

The judge noted Dunne had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but also chose to use illegal substances.

He placed the offense in the “upper mid-range” but also took into account his guilty plea.

The judge said he was sentenced to two and a half years but suspended the last six months and ordered him to begin probation services.

Pointing out his history of not taking his medication and using illegal substances, the judge said, “I have real concerns about this man.”

Dunne, who has been detained since April 2023, will have completed most of his detention and will be released shortly.

The judge also ordered that he be supervised for 18 months after release and that he follow all recommendations and recommendations regarding treatment.

He will also follow all advice from the probation services and keep them informed of his contact details and whereabouts.