Man accused of being involved in Cork assault denied bail 

Gardaí were looking for a man involved in a serious assault in Cork city centre last September and believe that he was actively avoiding arrest by travelling to Limerick, Newry and Belfast, but he was arrested and brought to court today.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin alleged that Jamie Mullins of no fixed address in Cork city said to an accomplice, “Guess who’s here”, and that the other man emerged from a doorway to stab and slash the injured party, Gavin Sheehan.

Detective Garda Cronin said it was alleged that when Jamie Mullins was arrested and questioned he allegedly “admitted hitting the injured party over the head with a bottle and said he was trying to calm the situation.” 

Defence solicitor, Killian McCarthy, said the bottle did not break. 

Det Garda Cronin agreed that the bottle did not break off the injured party’s head but that it broke later off the ground.

Shortly before 8pm on Wednesday, February 5 he was arrested and charged and made no reply after caution. There was an objection to bail on the basis of the seriousness of the charge and other factors.

He telephoned the detective four months ago saying he wished to hand himself in but did not do so. He rang again on February 5 to hand himself in for questioning. 

Arrested 

However, the detective said Mr Mullins was arrested in Cork city before giving himself up for questioning.

Charges brought now against him included assault causing harm, having cocaine for sale or supply and possession of the glass bottle, contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

The detective said that the nature of the evidence was very strong in relation to the incident on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, on September 6, 2024. 

Det Garda Cronin said Mr Mullins was outside a phone repair shop on the street when it was busy with shoppers and that he tipped the other male with the words, ‘Guess who’s outside’.

The other man – already before the courts – stabbed and slashed Mr Sheehan numerous times and then Mr Mullins allegedly smashed him over the head with a glass bottle The detective said the accused showed a complete disregard for public safety in an area that was very busy at the time with students.

Evidence

Jamie Mullins gave evidence in his own application for bail and said: “I want to get into addiction services and start working again. I picked up an addiction to gambling.” 

Sergeant Gearóid Davis asked the accused how long he was out of Cork and Mr Mullins said he was away for about three weeks and had been back in Cork since November 2024.

He said he was in a bad place and left Cork to clear his head and try and get work.

“I got into a bad patch with gambling and I became homeless. I am hoping to get out of it,” Mr Mullins said.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “The charges before the court are extremely serious – it seems to me that it was an attack that was thought about and that he hit an injured party over the head with a bottle.

“I refuse bail and remand him in custody until February 13.”