Visitor to Cork city 'should not have been subjected to assault’ says judge as man is sentenced for attack on Spanish student

A MAN has been jailed for one year after a sentencing judge said that a young Spanish student walking home through Cork city was outnumbered as he was attacked and robbed.

Richard Harrington, aged 36, of no fixed address, signed a plea of guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the young man on March 25, 2023, for his part in the crime.

His barrister Alison McCarthy, said Mr Harrington played a much lesser part than others involved in the attack.

Ms McCarthy said that he was embarking on a treatment programme for addiction issues.

Judge Helen Boyle said: “It was two or three against one, and it was entirely unprovoked.

“This young man was walking home along Bandon Rd when he was attacked.”

The judge accepted that Mr Harrington was less involved than others and said those others were more culpable.

“But a visitor to this city should not have been subjected to this when he was far from home,” said Judge Boyle.

“And he was obviously upset.

“You have come forward on a signed plea of guilty.

“I accept you are remorseful. It is clear you have a problem with alcohol and drugs.”

In all the circumstances, Judge Boyle imposed a sentence of 18 months and suspended the final six months of that sentence.

Longer sentences have been imposed on others involved in the attack.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway said the 24-year-old Spanish student was walking home from a friend’s house shortly after 4am on Saturday, March 25.

“He was walking from Cork city centre to his home on Magazine Rd,” he said.

“On Bandon Rd he was approached three males and a female. One man ran past him and turned to get into conversation with him.

“[One man] came up behind him and punched him in the side of the head, causing him to fall.

“He was then kicked in the head. He lost his phone during the assault. [This attacker] picked it up.”

Others became involved afterwards.

The entire incident lasted two minutes and 17 seconds and took place near Lennox’s chip shop on Bandon Rd.

The victim contacted the ambulance service. His injuries included bruising to his neck and face, cut lips, and a black eye.

He has made a full recovery and no longer lives in Cork after returning to Spain.