Unprovoked attack on young man in Ballincollig resulted in fractured eye socket and broken nose

A violent unprovoked attack on a young man in Ballincollig resulted in him suffering a fractured eye socket and a broken nose.

Judge Sinead Behan said at the sentencing hearing for 21-year-old Lee Kelly Obei of Innishmore Grove, Ballincollig, County Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court: 

“This was a very violent and unprovoked attack. This individual suffered devastating injuries. I believe it (sentencing) requires further consideration.” 

Noting that the young man had gathered €10,000 compensation for the injured party, Judge Behan said: “People cannot buy their way out. This was an assault carried on inside and outside Oriel House. I will remand him in custody for sentencing on February 27.” 

Lee Kelly Obei pleaded guilty to committing a violent disorder with other persons at Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, County Cork, on March 12 2023 and a second charge of assault causing harm to the injured party who was aged around 20.

Detective Garda Alan Johnson testified that the injured party was effectively blindsided by a punch from Lee Kelly Obei on the night. The victim did not have an opportunity to defend himself from the blow and he was then dragged outside the premises by the defendant and others.

Judge Behan was informed through a victim impact statement that the injured party suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of the assault. He said he did not taunt the men or anything like that and questioned why he received such a brutal attack.

Second defendant

A second defendant also faced sentencing arising out of the events that night but he pleaded guilty to engaging in a violent disorder and was not prosecuted for assault. This defendant, Nathan Brydon of Oaklands, Ballincollig, was described as playing a minor role compared to others that night.

In the case against Nathan Brydon, also aged around 20, Judge Behan noted that he had gathered €1,000 compensation. She directed him to gather another €1,500 and imposed a two-year suspended sentence and ordered him to do 160 hours of community service.