Sleeping woman allegedly attacked by son who struck her with saucepan while she slept

A sleeping woman was allegedly attacked by her own son who struck her violently across the face with a saucepan – he later told gardaí: “I wanted to clear my head”.

Garda Simone Gilman-Burke objected to bail being granted to the accused and outlined these allegations at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court.

The parties cannot be identified as one of the charges is brought under the Domestic Violence Act, namely the count alleging a breach of a protection order. The 24-year-old man is also charged with assault causing harm.

The woman who is aged around 50 believes that if her son is granted bail he would return to her home in Cork and may even kill her. She said he is hearing voices in his head which are telling him to do things.

Garda Gilman-Burke said that when the accused was caught, arrested and questioned he told officers that he wanted to clear his head.

The accused denied that his mother was asleep at the time.

Sergeant John Kelleher and defence solicitor Frank Buttimer had not required that the complainant would give evidence. However, Judge Mary Dorgan asked for the complainant to be sworn in to inform the court about the issue of being asleep or not at the time of the alleged assault. She said she was asleep.

The defendant’s mother told Judge Dorgan: “I went to bed. I thought he was asleep already. 10.20pm there was a slam. There was blood everywhere. I kicked him. He walked out.

“He has voices telling him what to do at this stage. He has serious mental health – the voices are telling him,” the witness said.

Mr Buttimer said the accused told him that he had no issues with his mental health.

The accused said he would turn up in court if given bail. 

Sgt Kelleher said during cross-examination, “You are smiling, your are not smiling, you are smiling. Are you suffering from some condition?” The 24-year-old said: “No.” Mr Buttimer suggested: “It seems to be a mannerism.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded the accused in custody until March 15: “I would direct the prison authorities to give him any attention he may need.” 

Garda Gilman-Burke said the incident at the centre of the case occurred on Saturday night, March 9, when it is alleged that the accused walked into his mother’s bedroom and struck her in the face as she slept, causing her nose to bleed heavily and leaving her with a swollen eye.

“The assault was completely unprovoked. She was asleep and entirely vulnerable. He fled afterwards,” she said.

The accused was arrested close to the scene afterwards. “He appeared to lack remorse and awareness of the seriousness of his actions,” the garda stated.