Man jailed for 'completely outrageous attack' in which man was stabbed and slashed in Cork city centre

Shoppers, schoolchildren and people relaxing over coffees and ice creams on an afternoon in Cork city were shocked by a violent attack on a man who was stabbed and slashed up to 20 times by a man who acted like the attack was “a badge of honour”.

Today at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, 25-year-old Aaron Bohane of no fixed address and originally from Ballincollig, County Cork was sentenced to four and a half years in prison with the last year suspended by Judge Helen Boyle.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin quoted from witnesses to this afternoon violence that the parties did not seem to care about the many men, women and children in the area at the time on that sunny afternoon.

Judge Helen Boyle said that this was an aggravating factor in the case as were the fact that it was pre-meditated and the cowardly nature of lying in wait for the victim and then attacking him from behind as he walked down the street.

“This was a completely outrageous attack on a sunny Friday Autumnal afternoon when citizens and visitors to Cork were relaxing on the street eating ice cream and drinking coffee,” she said.

Det Garda Cronin said the injured party was walking along Oliver Plunkett Street shortly after 5pm on September 6. He said that Mr Bohane was in a doorway on the street while a man with him was acting as a lookout.

“He gave Aaron Bohane a gesture. Mr Bohane removed a silver-coloured knife from the waistband of his pants and he viciously assaulted the injured party from behind. In the course of 16 seconds he attempted to stab and slash him up to twenty times.

“The male with him then struck the injured party over the head with a glass bottle.

“The injured party had serious lacerations to his head, arms and back and was taken to Cork University Hospital for surgery,” Det Garda Cronin said.

“Mr Bohane said the injured party had previously threatened his partner and he acted like the assault was a badge of honour – he showed no remorse,” the detective said.

He admitted assault causing harm and producing the bladed weapon.

Niamh Stewart said that Mr Bohane said the injured party threatened the mother of his child. She added that the injured party, Gavin Sheehan, would be known to the guards, adding that she was not taking from from the fact that he suffered injuries.

“Mr Bohane has been in custody since September 8 2024. He did not take up High Court bail. He is 25 years of age. He is extremely remorseful. He was homeless at the time and was using drugs. He had mental health issues. This was totally out of character on his previous record.

“He was on drugs. He made full admissions to the guards. He has never been before this court before. He tells me he is extremely remorseful and wants that to be conveyed to the injured party,” Ms Stewart said.

Judge Boyle said to the accused: “You have some purported motive but there is no evidence of that. Even if there was, you should have reported it to An Garda Síochána. I do not accept there was any motive for this attack.” 

Aaron Bohane pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to Gavin Sheehan at Oliver Plunkett St, and producing a knife.