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Two American tourists in their sixties were repeatedly punched and threatened with rape and murder in the elevator of a hotel in central Dublin, the Central Criminal Court has heard.
The “unprovoked” and “frenzied” hotel lift attack took place on April 7th 2023, at the four-star Ashling Hotel, on Parkgate Street in Dublin.
Sean Dunne appeared in court on Thursday, charged with the unprovoked attack on the two tourists. The court heard that the 26-year-old has ten previous convictions which include convictions for threatening and abusive behaviour, criminal damage, and breach of a barring order.
Dunne, currently of Cloverhill Prison, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm against a man and a woman at the hotel. The court heard how Dunne told the woman that he was going to “rape and kill him” (the woman’s husband).
Garda Stephen Lawlor recounted in court how he was on mobile patrol on the night of the incident. On arrival, he saw one man, who he later identified as Dunne, being restrained on the corridor floor, telling Michael Horrigan BL, prosecuting, that he also noticed blood on the carpet.
Dunne was arrested and cautioned at the scene and put into a garda van, with Gardaí speaking to the injured parties.
The couple had returned to their hotel after going for a meal locally, and told Gardaí that they had gone to the hotel bar and ordered a drink before getting into the elevator. It was at this point that the accused also entered the elevator, telling the woman he was going to “rape her and kill him,” indicating the woman’s husband.
He then struck the woman in the mouth and started attacking her husband. The woman pressed the panic button and when the lift door opened, the female tourist screamed for help, with two others coming to their assistance.
The court heard that Dunne was still attacking the man at this stage, and that there was “blood everywhere.” While onlookers attempted to subdue Dunne, he continued to say he was “going to kill” the man in the unprovoked assault.
The male tourist dropped to his knees and was shaking, the court heard, with the couple later receiving treatment at the scene from emergency services. They did not require hospital treatment. The court was handed images of the injuries sustained by both in the attack
The female tourist told gardaí that the attack had been unprovoked, and had unfolded on their last night in Ireland. They returned home to the US the following day.
Dunne, who has been in custody since April last year, was interviewed, denying that he assaulted either of the tourists. He took a trial date, but pleaded in advance of the trial.
Garda Lawlor agreed with the defence that it had been a “frenzied” attack, and that Dunne did not know the couple. He also agreed with counsel that the accused had shown the signs of someone experiencing a psychotic break, with the court hearing that he suffers from schizophrenia, having been diagnosed in 2020.
Since Dunne, who had been homeless and had turned to additive substances, went into custody, he has been doing well, the court heard – with his mental health improving “significantly.”
He is off all addictive substances, the court further heard, and is tested regularly.
The case was adjourned for finalisation until October 2024, with Ms Justice Sarah Berkerly ordering probation services to carry out a report.
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