Student left 'terrified' after being threatened with syringe in city

An Indian student doing a master’s degree in public health in Cork was walking from one college building to another when she was accosted by an assailant who threatened her with a blood-filled syringe.

That was the terrifying experience endured by the young woman who was only in Cork for a few months as part of her studies.

Detective Garda Aoife Hayes outlined the details of the crime committed by 21-year-old Ken O’Sullivan, who is originally from Rylane in Co Cork but was living homeless in Cork city at the time. His only address was at St Vincent’s hostel, Anglesea Tce, Cork. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and threatening to injure with a syringe, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Det Garda Hayes said the 23-year-old woman from India travelled to Cork in September 23 to complete her master’s in public health.

At mid-day on February 21, 2024, she had just finished attending a lecture at the distillery building on North Mall and was walking across St Vincent’s footbridge, by Mercy University Hospital, to attend her next class at the main campus of University College Cork.

“Ken O’Sullivan was blocking her. He produced a blood-filled syringe and held it up to her demanding money. 

"She could clearly see the needle and blood. In fear she retreated in the direction of the distillery building and made good her escape to a security hut.

“Ken O’Sullivan fled the scene. CCTV footage was gathered. He could be seen following her, walked behind her, passing her, and then blocking her way. He was living in St Vincent’s hostel at the time.

“On March 13, 2024, he was arrested and conveyed to the Bridewell Garda Station where he was detained and interviewed. He made admissions and identified himself on CCTV.”

The student, who is still studying in Cork, was invited to make a victim impact statement but declined to do so.

The detective said the young woman suffered severe anxiety compounded by the fact that she is alone in Cork without her family and the fact that this attempted robbery occurred at midday when she was attending lectures and there were lots of people around.

She saw the syringe and believed that it did contain blood, and it also had a long needle attached.

Brian Leahy, barrister, said the defendant is originally from Rylane in West Cork but became homeless. He has been living in the city since July 2023 and he was a chronic user of heroin and crack cocaine at the time of this attempted robbery.

“He was so intoxicated he could not be interviewed on the day of his arrest. There was no violence in his history before this. When shown the video he admitted it was him but he had no recollection. He felt it was totally out of character for him.

“He is now working and living in supported housing in Eagle Valley in Wilton. There is a supportive letter from his employer. He is contributing to society. He wants to inform the court this [a person carrying out a crime of violence] is not who he is,” Mr Leahy said.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said he would not impose sentence immediately: “I will stay my hand. I would like to see evidence of him staying on the straight and narrow, with evidence of no further drug use and maybe something tangible by way of compensation for the victim.”

Sentencing was adjourned until February 19.