Cork man facing into overlapping prison sentences for several crimes appeals sentence

A young man facing into overlapping prison sentences for several crimes, including a threat to kick a garda in the genitals as he abused him as “a f***ing sausage” appealed the jail terms, promising that he was about to go into residential treatment.

Barrister John Colthurst said on behalf of Craig O’Sullivan of 24 Curraheen Drive, Bishopstown, Cork, at Cork Circuit Appeals Court, that the appellant is now 30 and has a history of mental health issues.

“Alcohol is a key factor in his offending. He does have good insight into his addiction difficulties, albeit he does struggle to overcome them,” said Mr Colthurst. “He has completed a community service order. He is now a father and he is motivated and determined to maintain stability in his life.”

The barrister said the accused was presently in the process of trying to get into Cuan Mhuire for rehabilitation.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said: “If he goes to Cuan Mhuire I will give him that chance. I will adjourn it to October to give him that chance.”

The appeal against the prison sentences imposed on O’Sullivan at Cork District Court was then adjourned until October 14 at Cork Circuit Appeals Court for confirmation that he is resident in the five-month programme at Cuan Mhuire.

One of the offences occurred on July 4, 2023, where he was intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others and engaging in threatening behaviour. He was verbally abusive to gardaí and irate that he was refused onto a bus. He left the area, only to return to the bus and verbally abuse the bus driver and members of the public.

In another incident on August 11, 2022, at Tesco in Wilton he shouted at Garda Daniel Murray, saying numerous times: “I will kick you in the balls, you f***ing sausage.” On March 28, 2023, he was again abusive during a drunken incident on the 220 bus at Main St, Ballincollig, where he was threatening and abusive and used sexually-insulting language. On July 4, 2023, he was verbally abusive to a bus driver at Patrick St.

On July 29, 2023, he was threatening to gardaí during an incident at Grand Parade, saying “Go f*** yourself. I will say whatever I want to whoever I want.” On Washington St on March 14, 2024, he was very abusive to a garda, calling him a fat c*** and telling him to go f*** himself.