Man who headbutted passenger on Cork to Cobh train avoids jail

A PASSENGER on the train from Cobh to Cork was headbutted and punched, suffered a broken nose, and had some teeth broken.

Today, the assailant was given a three-month suspended sentence.

Judge Philip O’Leary said at Cork District Court: “It is a serious matter. He did serious damage to the injured party.” The judge proceeded to impose a three-month sentence suspended on condition that Kyle Downey, 28, of Corrib Lawn, Mayfield, Cork, and now living in Scotland, would be of good behaviour for the next 12 months.

Inspector James Hallahan outlined the background to the charges that included assault causing harm on March 30, 2023 and being drunk and a danger on the train on that date.

The defendant headbutted and punched the injured party on the Cobh train to Cork and the injured party had a suspected broken nose and head injury.

“It is alleged he had a laceration to his lip, a laceration to his left forehead also, and had some loose teeth and broken teeth and had bleeding to his lower lip,” Insp Hallahan said.

Judge O’Leary noted that there was also a criminal damage charge — to which Mr Downey pleaded guilty — where the charge stated that he did without lawful excuse damage property by smearing blood on cell walls at Mayfield Garda Station between March 30 and 31, following his arrest for the assault.

Defence barrister, William Bulman, said the defendant had given up alcohol since this occurred and was working as a chef in a Scottish hotel. He said Mr Downey was living in this very remote area and not coming into contact with anyone beyond his work setting.

The barrister said that the background to the incident at the centre of the case was that defendant had an issue with the injured party in relation to the quality of work he had done for another party.