Man jailed after causing damage to hotel room in Cork 'has no recollection' of the incident

A hotel guest who left his room with a window that was evidently smashed from the inside and left beer bottles strewn around the floor has been sentenced to five months in jail for causing criminal damage.

23-year-old Jake O’Sullivan who is from Fairfield Road, Farranree, Cork, told gardaí investigating the criminal damage complaint from the hotel that he was so intoxicated he had no memory of it. However, he did plead guilty at Cork District Court to a charge of recklessly or intentionally causing criminal damage to the room.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the crime was committed at the Maldron Hotel on John Redmond Street, Shandon, Cork, on December 5 2022.

“When staff entered the room they found a window broke and empty glass beer bottles around the room. The room had been used by a single male occupant, Jake O’Sullivan. The window appeared to be broken from the inside as most of the shattered glass was found outside. 

“Jake O’Sullivan used his passport as identification to book the room and he left his passport behind after him,” Sgt Kelleher said at Cork District Court.

When questioned later by gardaí in relation to the complaint, Jake O’Sullivan stated that he had no memory of it but accepted that he caused the damage. The cost of the damage was put at €500.

Shane Collins-Daly defence solicitor said the young man was living out of home at the time and had a significant addiction to cocaine and was drinking heavily.

“He went off the rails during that time. Drink and drugs were keeping him down. He was beginning to deal with his addiction before he went into custody but it was too little too late. He does have good prospects if he stays off the drink and drugs. He has no recollection of this incident but accepts he must have caused it,” Mr Collins-Daly said.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed the five-month jail term on the 23-year-old.