'I forgive you,' security guard tells man who spat at and threatened to kill her in Cork city

A woman working in security asked a man not to obstruct a fire exit in Cork city, but he responded by spitting at her, pushing her, and threatening to kill her, a court has heard.

Judge Sinead Behan praised the Christian attitude taken by the victim, who said in her impact statement that the accused man — who has complex psychiatric issues — should reflect on his words and actions and the impact that they had on her.

However, the victim also wished him well and said: “God bless you. I forgive you.”

Richard O’Brien, aged 27, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill or cause harm, and two counts of assault.

Judge Behan said: “I have to consider the seriousness of it and how much you are to blame for it. You were causing an obstruction on the fire escape on Paul St.

“When asked to leave, you picked up a [slippery floor warning] sign and threatened to bash her. You spat at her and shoved her.

“You said you had a knife, and I have no doubt it was a scary experience for her. She should be treated with respect while she was going about her job.”

As Judge Behan made this comment, the defendant was nervously wringing his hands and he agreed with the judge that the woman should have been allowed to do her job.

Defence barrister Nikki O’Sullivan described O’Brien breaking down in tears when the victim impact evidence was read to him. Judge Behan accepted that the young man saved the witness the trauma of giving evidence in a trial because of his guilty plea, and that he was remorseful.

He wrote a letter for the victim saying he was extremely sorry, ashamed, and full of guilt, Ms O’Sullivan said.

The judge said it was an impressive victim impact statement from a mother getting on with her job.

As for the man, she noted that he attended North Lee mental health services, suffered from serious mental illness, and had highly complex needs for which he had received psychiatric treatment, but that on his release from prison, his family in Hollyhill are willing to take him home.

“I would go back home and stay at home,” O’Brien said.

Stressing that the accused had to engage with psychiatric services, the judge imposed a sentence of 18 months, suspended the final 12 months, and backdated the sentence to October, when he went into custody.