The phrase "a recent instance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific occurrence or example that has happened not long ago.
Example: "The report highlighted a recent instance of fraud within the organization that raised concerns among the board members."
Alternatives: "a recent example of" or "a recent case of".
At least that's my conclusion after a recent instance of Turkish officialdom trying to show compassion.
"Seven Demon Police Surround and Beat Protester for Four Minutes," Apple Daily headlined a story about a recent instance of suspected police brutality.
A recent instance of monied individuals backing a media property, The New York Sun, offers the Zuckerman-led group an encouraging precedent.
In a recent instance of psychological warfare, or just annoying behavior, North Korean soldiers crossed several feet into the Southern side and sat down on chairs while the Southerners were busy harvesting crops.
Gladwell cites a recent instance of this approach as his favorite among the stories that he's written for the magazine: "Thresholds of Violence," from October, 2015, which draws on a Stanford sociologist's ideas about how riots start as a possible, and partial, explanation for why school shootings have become more common in the United States.
By Hendrik Hertzberg March 2, 2010 My post on a recent instance of what I view as "Rush Limbaugh's disgusting race-baiting" has incurred the ire of Ann Althouse, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin who is also a prominent blogger.
I can't find a single recent instance of a candidate who ultimately became his party's nominee losing a primary by this kind of margin.
California's exposure levels are generally below the national average, and some of the municipalities in the suit report not a single recent instance of a child testing positive for elevated levels of lead.
In a more recent instance of executives making an impact through social media, Tesla Motors Inc's Chief Executive Elon Musk said last week on Twitter that something "exciting" would be announced.
Rios recalls a recent instance when a member of their church asked him and his associate Aleka Bassett to visit and treat the church member's wife at an ICU in Michigan.
Some of you will remember a more recent instance of this, in which the new leader of the Labour party inadvertently read out the stage direction "strong message here" during a speech.
