Transgender prisoner Barbie Kardashian's release 'imminent' despite posing 'threat' to public

David Raleigh

Convicted transgender prisoner “Barbie Kardashian”, who, a court heard, posed a “significant threat” to the general public, is to be released from prison imminently.

Kardashian, mid-20s, who was serving a sentence at Limerick Prison after being convicted by a jury of making threats to torture, rape, and murder, has agreed to abide by a two-year post-supervision release order previously imposed at Limerick Circuit Court.

Sources close to Kardashian confirmed the prisoner’s release was “imminent”.

When contacted for comment, the Irish Prison Service said it “does not comment on individual prisoner cases”.

Kardashian, who was born a male named “Gabriel Alejandro Gentile”, but who changed name by deed poll and now identifies as female, has served two years and six months of a five and a half year sentence of which the final twelve months were suspended.

A detective garda told Kardashian’s four-day trial in March 2023, that gardaí had “grave concerns” about the defendant’s “motivation to carry out the threats”.

Detective Garda Niall Fitzgerald, Roxboro Road station, said it was the belief of An Garda Síochána that Kardashian continued to pose “a significant threat” to the person Kardashian was found to have threatened, and that she also posed a significant threat “to the wider public”.

The trial heard Kardashian has not had gender affirming surgery and has received a certificate from the Department of Social Protection, that recognises Kardashian as female.

Kardashian, who is diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, and who has previously alleged to being sexually and physically abused as a child, was placed in State care aged twelve, on foot of a High Court Special Care Order.

Kardashian’s mother was the victim of the alleged threats to torture rape and kill - which Kardashian was found guilty of making while resident at Coovagh House, a residential care facility in Limerick for youths aged up to 18 years and considered as displaying high-risk behaviour.

The threats in respect of Kardashian’s mother, were made by Kardashian to staff at the secure care centre in 2020.

When sentencing Kardashian, Judge Tom O’Donnell, now retired, said it was “one of the most complex cases” he had dealt with in his lengthy career.

The judge noted Kardashian was “unrepentant” about wanting to torture, rape and kill.

Kardashian wanted to travel to the victim’s home, overpower her, torture her with boiling water, rape her with a screwdriver, and assault her until she “bled out”, it was heard.

The judge said Kardashian revealed the plan in “chilling” detail to Coovagh House staff.

Kardashian provided staff members with reams of hand-written notes about being “driven” to rape and kill, apparently due to previously suffering “trauma” when a child.

A probation service pre-sentence report cited “major concerns that the accused is unrepentant about their threats to kill or cause serious harm to their mother”, the judge said.

“The report concludes the accused is at high risk of not just re-offending, but also about committing serious crimes.”

Judge O’Donnell said the court had a “major concern” about Kardahsian’s movements after prison.

The judge said the probation service had stated that it was “incumbent on the State services and associated medical services to get involved and try and come to some long-term solution” in respect of Kardashian.

The judge said five psychiatrists assessed Kardashian and that “all five” believed there was a “real danger” Kardashian would follow through on “fantasies” of rape and murder.

The probation report noted Kardashian’s “narcissistic tendencies and desire to be the centre of attention”.

Judge O’Donnell said Kardashian showed a “complete lack of remorse” and “high-level of venom” to the victim.

Kardashian who has fifteen previous convictions, all for violent crimes, including for sexual assault when aged just 13, was of “enormous concern”.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge O’Donnell said the 12 months of the prison term that he suspended could be enacted under a “Section 99 order” if Kardashian failed to engage with the probation services for a two-year period after prison.

The judge also warned the defendant that attempts to communicate with their mother and father could trigger the section 99 order.

Kardashian has agreed to reside at an address approved by both the gardai and the probation service; to notify the authorities of any change of address; and to provide details of any new relationships with third parties.

Judge O’Donnell said Kardashian had experienced an “extremely complex background, and must be regarded as a vulnerable person”.

However, he also cited his own “grave concerns” about Kardashian’s movements after prison.

In summing up, Judge O’Donnell said: “One can only hope that the relevant State agencies take heed of the stark warning contained in the probation officer’s reports.”