One assailant in Cork city robbery gets additional six months in jail

A pre-planned robbery of a young man walking home from Cork city to Ballyphehane back in 2019 has just resulted in one of the assailants getting an additional six months in jail for his part in the crime.

29-year-old Manuel Ulian, who had been living at Croaghtamore Gardens, Pouladuff Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to robbery of this young man on Pouladuff Road and assault causing harm to another man minutes later at Barrack Street.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin – now retired - sentenced him to three years in prison with the last six months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The six months was suspended on condition that he would comply with all directions of the probation service in relation to his rehabilitation for a year after he release from prison. However, he left the country instead.

Since returned, the suspended portion of the sentence was back before Cork Circuit Criminal Court where there was an application to remove the suspension.

Brian Leahy barrister said the accused was working productively at the relevant time and he asked Judge Helen Boyle not to activate the six months sentence.

Judge Boyle said that as well as disregarding the order and leaving the country, Manuel Ulian continued to offend.

“Unfortunately, you have not helped yourself by failing to abide by the terms of the suspended sentence. You must serve the last six months,” Judge Boyle said.

At the original sentencing hearing, Detective Sergeant Joe Young said Manuel Ulian was wearing a balaclava on the night of the attack on the victim shortly before 3am on December 7 2019 at Pouladuff Road.

20 minutes later, Ulian attacked another man walking along Barrack Street, striking him across the back of the head with an iron bar.

Det Sgt Young said that in the first crime – the assault and robbery, CCTV later showed that the victim was spotted by two men in a BMW. This car flashed at Ulian, who followed the young man from town and attacked him closer to his home. The two men in the BMW arrived at the scene of the attack by Ulian and joined in in the violence.

“Ulian first shouted at the victim who turned around to see a man in dark clothing wearing a balaclava. He feared for his safety and began running. He stumbled and fell on the ground. Ulian began assaulting him. As he lay on the ground the defendant was joined by the two other males who arrived in the BMW. One of the co-accused used an iron bar,” Det Sgt Young said.

The victim was robbed of his iPhone and wallet containing cards and €15 in cash. He sustained facial and head injuries and three and four teeth were damaged requiring extensive, costly treatment.

20 minutes later, Ulian – acting alone this time – attacked a man from behind on Barrack Street, striking him in the back of the head with an iron bar. The victim in this case stood up to the accused and chased him away.