Woman who stabbed her former lover ‘changed her life’, lawyer tells Central Criminal Court – The Irish Times

A 33-year-old mother of three with 49 previous convictions who stabbed her former lover to death during a “chaotic” period in her life wants to re-enter society as a better person, her lawyer has told the Central Criminal Court.

Colman Cody SC told the court his client Nicola Brennan had “changed her life” in prison since stabbing Juris Viktorovs, 36, two years ago. He said she had much hope for the future and had “done everything in her power to rehabilitate herself.”

Mr Cody said Brennan knew what she had done and was “carrying the burden of it; She wants to re-enter society as a better person.”

While the barrister acknowledged that her use of a knife was a significant aggravating factor, he asked the court to take into account that none of Ms Brennan’s previous convictions involved violent crimes and that there was no animosity between her and the deceased. He said the reason for the killing remained a mystery but that it occurred during a “chaotic” time when Brennan and others she lived with, including the deceased, were drinking heavily.

Mr. Cody said his client had earned a number of certificates while in prison, participated in all programs available to her and was well respected by prison authorities. Mr Cody outlined a “broadly positive” probation report that puts Brennan at a moderate risk of reoffending due to uncertainty over where she will live after her release from prison. He said she knew what she did was wrong and expressed “sincere and heartfelt remorse” in a letter to her victim’s family.

Fiona Murphy SC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said the offense merited a total sentence of 10 to 15 years.

Brennan, of no fixed abode, stabbed and killed Mr Viktorovs on February 10, 2022 at the home they shared in Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow.

She pleaded not guilty to murder in December last year, but after a month-long trial the jury was unable to agree on a verdict. In June, the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted Brennan’s guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter.

It was revealed at the trial that Brennan was dating another man and lived in the same house as the deceased and his girlfriend Brenda Kane in Ballyconnell. During her Garda interviews, Brennan said she had previously had an “affair” with the deceased but denied being jealous of his relationship with Ms Kane.

At Monday’s hearing, Det Sgt Dermot Treacy told Ms Murphy that Brenda Kane, whose father owned the house, had told gardaí that she was in bed with Mr Viktorovs when Brennan appeared at the door and threw a knife towards the deceased .

She said the knife didn’t hit anyone and landed on the floor, but Brennan ran into the room, took the knife and stabbed Mr. Viktorovs in the chest. Ms Kane called emergency services and when they arrived they found a “chaotic scene with drunk people moaning and screaming”.

Brennan’s 49 previous convictions included 31 for road traffic matters, the others for public order, burglary, theft, criminal damage and assisting a major offender.

Det Sgt Treacy agreed with Mr Cody that Brennan’s life in the house in Ballyconnell was “chaotic” and that everyone living there consumed significant alcohol. Brennan had struggled with alcohol addiction since she was a teenager but was always pleasant when dealing with gardai, the detective said.

Judge Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing until next Monday, October 14.