A Mayo man who stabbed Dublin GAA player Jonny Cooper hours after attacking a taxi driver has been given a seven-year sentence with the final two years suspended.
The court heard 32-year-old Mark Lavelle was on the drug crystal meth when he carried out the unprovoked attack.
Lavelle, originally from Swinford, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to the Dublin and Na Fianna footballer at around 5am on September 20thlast year.
He also admitted to assault causing harm to Thomas Smith at around 2am on the Saturday morning and to hijacking Mr Smith's car.
Jonny received nine stab wounds to his forehead, eyelid and neck area and spent one night in hospital. He was fortunate to be released with no serious injuries.
Cooper had no memory of the assault and Gardaí were called to the scene after a passing taxi driver noticed the footballer stumbling with his back covered in blood.
Officers later followed a trail of blood from where they met Mr Cooper to a nearby takeaway and secured CCTV footage from the restaurant.
Lawyers for Lavelle said he suffered from a mental disorder and had been with the State's psychiatric services since his mid-teens.
His 62 previous convictions include assaults, criminal damage, possession of knives, possession of drugs, burglary, robbery, violent behaviour in a Garda station, trespass, public order and altering a prescription.
Judge Martin Nolan ordered a seven year sentence for Mr Smith’s dangerous behaviour and he suspended the final two years with very strict conditions.
By Patrick Fannon