Man pleads guilty to threatening householder in Cork

A 42-year-old man who first sought permission to go onto a property to cut down neighbouring trees, before then threatening to “box the face off” the householder, has been jailed for four months for other offences.

Jerry O’Sullivan, of 7 Hazelwood Grove, Kinsale Rd, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a number of incidents.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that on June 24, 2022, the accused asked for permission to go onto a man’s property to facilitate the cutting of trees at a neighbouring property on Coach Hill, Rochestown, Cork.

The householder asked if he had insurance, and after a brief verbal exchange, O’Sullivan said he would box his face off him.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening or abusive words or behaviour on that occasion.

He also admitted trespassing on the curtilage of a building in a manner that was likely to cause fear in another person.

Sentencing in that particular case was adjourned until September 15 to allow time for the preparation of a victim impact statement.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a two-month jail term on O’Sullivan for a more recent offence, where he was threatening and abusive to gardaí at Friars Rd, Ballyphehane, Cork.

Sgt Davis said that at the height of the incident, O’Sullivan said to Garda Shane O’Riordan: “I will make it difficult”, and he was grinding his teeth.

Gardaí went to the area following a report that O’Sullivan was acting suspiciously, going door to door of elderly homeowners and offering them maintenance services.

He was also given four months’ imprisonment for driving off without paying for petrol at Maxol service station in Wilton.

Finally, O’Sullivan was given 75 hours of community service for obstructing Garda Kate Sheehan at Old Youghal Rd, Cork, on January 11.