Man fined for drunkenness but has charge of assault causing harm dropped

AN English couple sitting outside the Long Valley Bar on Winthrop Street in Cork were allegedly told by a man sitting near them of “800 years of oppression and fighting the English out”, and when he was put out of the premises there was an altercation with the security man.

Seán O’Shea, of The Cottage, Temple Uisce, Glanmire, Cork, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault causing harm to the security man, engaging in threatening behaviour, and being drunk and a source of danger to himself or others.

He said he did defend himself and that he got ‘multiple blows’ himself.

Judge Marian O’Leary said after hearing evidence and seeing CCTV footage of the disputed incident at Cork District Court that she was dismissing the assault and threatening charges. She fined the 26-year-old man €200 for what was his first ever conviction — the drunkenness count.

Judge O’Leary said of the most serious charge, the count of assault causing harm: “I accept his evidence that he was defending himself and I am dismissing that charge.”

The judge referred to one particular aspect of the incident where the accused was given his money back and was asked to leave.

It appeared that as he was being escorted out he fell over a bag that was on the ground and there was a physical altercation between the security man and the defendant.

Judge O’Leary said of the English couple sitting at a table beside the defendant at that moment when he was being ejected: “I saw them smiling, it was entertainment to them.” Defence solicitor Eddie Burke agreed and added: “One of them was videoing it”.

Inspector Mark Keating asked O’Shea during the case what he said to the English couple. He said he could not remember.

The inspector said the security man heard what he said and did recall it. The inspector said O’Shea referred to “800 years of oppression and fighting the English out”.

The incident occurred two years ago, on October 9, 2021.