A mother to three children, Nicola Brennan (33), has been imprisoned for eight years following the fatal stabbing of Juris Viktorovs, her former partner, during a disorderly and booze-fuelled evening at their joint residence in Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, Co Wicklow on the 10th of February, 2022. The incident occurred with no apparent provocation or motive, according to Mr Justice Paul McDermott of the Central Criminal Court. He pointed out that all evidence pointed towards Brennan having a good relationship and positive sentiments towards Viktorovs.
The attack occurred as part of an evening’s events following a day of excessive alcohol consumption. Upon arrival, the police described the residence as a scene of mayhem, with Brennan heavily intoxicated to the point of being unfit for immediate questioning. Despite the circumstances, Mr Justice McDermott expressed that Brennan was in no immediate danger and yet chose to introduce a deadly weapon into a situation devoid of any perceived threat or provocation.
He also highlighted that the incident was not a blameless accident but a deliberate act of recklessness causing a chest injury through stabbing. This tragic incident has left a severe impact on the deceased’s family, causing a significant amount of distress and upheaval.
Despite her initial plea of not guilty to the murder charge in December of the previous year, Brennan’s guilty plea to manslaughter was eventually accepted in June by the Director of Public Prosecutions after a month-long trial failing to reach a consensus among the jury. The agreed facts of the case are that Brennan’s boyfriend intruded into the room where the victim, Viktorovs, was residing with his girlfriend Brenda Kane in search of a cigarette.
When Mr. Viktorovs was in the process of making a cigarette beside his bed, Brennan unexpectedly appeared at the doorway. She hurled a knife in the general course of the now-deceased, uttered something to Mr. Viktorovs, and proceeded into the room. Although the knife failed to hit anyone and landed on the floor, Brennan retrieved it and with a downward thrust, stabbed Mr. Viktorovs.
The reasoning of Brennan, as indicated by Mr Justice McDermott, appeared biased towards self-justification. Furthermore, the court took into account a probation report highlighting Brennan’s habit of downplaying her role in the murder, attributing her actions to alcohol and her inability to understand the consequences.
Brennan’s account initially warranted a sentencing of 12 years. Mr. Justice McDermott, however, reduced it by three years, taking into account her guilty plea, genuine regret and remorse, and successful rehabilitation efforts. Further, he suspended the final year of her nine-year sentencing for two years, provided Brennan maintained good conduct, enlisted probation services for addiction help and underwent any necessary treatment. The commencement of her term was retroactively dated to July 19th, 2022, when she first entered custody.
During the trial, testimonies revealed that Brennan, while dating another man, resided with the now-deceased and his girlfriend Brenda Kane in the same Ballyconnell home. Despite admitting to a past affair with the deceased during her Garda interviews, Brennan refuted claims of jealousy towards his relationship with Ms Kane.
Detective Sergeant Dermot Treacy, at a previous hearing, recounted to the prosecutor Fiona Murphy SC, Brennan’s relationship with Mr Viktorovs. He mentioned how she spoke highly of him and denied any prior animosity.
At the same proceeding, Brennan’s defence lawyer, Colman Cody SC, commended his client’s transformation in prison. Cody shed light on her desire to improve herself, her hopeful outlook for the future, and the effort she had put in towards rehabilitation. Furthermore, he confirmed Brennan’s remorse over the events and her aspiration to reintegrate into society as a changed individual. The circumstance that led to the murder, however, remained unclear, occurring amidst a tumultuous period characterised by excessive alcohol consumption.
Incarcerated, Mr. Cody’s client, according to him, managed to attain several accreditations, participated in all possible schemes present and is greatly respected by her wardens. He referred to a largely optimistic probation dossier on Brennan, which placed her at a medium risk of falling back to crime, partly owing to the indeterminate nature of her future residence upon her release.