Man must pay more to victim of dog attack at Cork's Marina Market

A Jack Russell-type dog bit a woman on the leg as she tried to defend her own dog from attack at the Marina Market, and now the owner has been warned that he will have to pay more compensation to her.

Radim Hradsky, of Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to failing to have his Jack Russell-type dog under effective control, and to not having a dog licence.

He was to bring €600 to court to pay for the injured woman’s medical bills and other expenses. However, solicitor Killian McCarthy said the accused was now homeless and had only raised €300.

Judge Mary Dorgan said this was not good enough.

“If you own a dog, you have to have a licence; if you own a dog, you have to have a lead,” said Judge Dorgan. “This lady is not going to be out of pocket. The dog is obviously quite vicious, that this type of injury was inflicted with huge repercussions for the injured party. I want this compensation paid.”

The judge adjourned sentencing until November 18 for the remaining €300 to be brought to court by Hradsky.

Judge Dorgan asked: “Is the dog still in the land of the living?”

Mr McCarthy said the defendant had arranged through an animal charity to have the dog rehoused.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incident.

“On May 29, 2023, Garda Seán Finnegan responded to a report from a female having been bit by a loose dog at the Marina Market, Centre Park Rd, Cork,” said Sgt Davis. “On arrival at the scene, Garda Finnegan spoke with the young woman who said she was bitten by a Jack Russell-type terrier dog. She had visible bite injuries to her right calf. These injuries required her to have stitches at the Mercy Hospital. The unleashed dog growled at her dog and the injured party stepped forward to prevent her dog being attacked.

“Garda Finnegan patrolled the area and located the alleged offender and the offending dog in Kennedy Park, a short distance from the Marina Market.

“Radim Hradsky provided Garda Finnegan with his personal details, including his address. He declined the opportunity to make a statement, stating that his English was not good enough.

“CCTV was of poor quality, but it captured an interaction between two dogs.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman, who is in her mid-20s, described herself as an animal lover who did not want to see any harm coming to the dog and did not blame the dog.

“I blame the irresponsible owner and his lack of care,” she said