Man pleads guilty to producing a machete during Dublin assault

A man has pleaded guilty to producing a machete during an assault close to Finglas Garda station more than two years ago.

Martin Cunningham (27) was charged with attempting to murder Kenneth Fitzsimons (41) at Liam Mellows Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 on April 10th, 2019 but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Thursday agreed to drop the attempted murder charge when Cunningham pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a machete, a weapon “capable of inflicting serious injury”.

Mr Cunningham of Warrenstown Drive, Mulhuddart, Dublin 1 is an apprentice film studio electrician

A jury had been sworn to hear Cunningham’s trial but Ms Justice Eileen Creedon told them that their service was no longer required.

The jury was previously told that the assault occurred “quite near” to Finglas Garda station and that Cunningham is an apprentice electrician who worked at Ardmore Studios in Co Wicklow.

Ms Justice Creedon ordered a probation report and victim impact statement and put the case back to January 31st for a sentencing hearing. Desmond Dockery SC for the DPP said that a “nolle prosequi” will be entered on that date to formally drop the attempted murder charge.