Homeless man was thrown down stairs and had head stamped on, court hears

A homeless 52-year-old man was thrown down two flights of stairs at Cork’s Kent railway station and one of his three attackers appeared to understand the gravity of the attack and put the unconscious victim in the recovery position, but then stamped on his head.

Detective Garda Ross McCabe made these allegations at Cork District Court during an objection to bail being granted to Jack Cronin.

The detective described the accused man as a danger to the community. He is charged with assault causing harm.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that the allegation in relation to what occurred after the victim was placed in the recovery position was “a serious aggravating factor”.

Bail was refused and Mr Cronin, aged 25, of Kinlay House, Cork, was remanded in custody until November 17.

Det Garda McCabe said the incident allegedly occurred at around 10.20pm on October 7 and gardaí were contacted by Ambulance Control at Kent station and attended the scene where they met the injured party, a homeless man, who was being treated by ambulance personnel.

“The injured party said he had been walking through Kent station when he was attacked by three males, thrown and kicked down two flights of stairs,” said Det Garda McCabe.

“The injured party tried to get away from the three men, and he was pursued in the corridor under Kent station and knocked to the ground, where he was kicked and hit into the head and body a number of times by all three males.

“CCTV captures the assault. The injured party is left in an unconscious state on the ground. Jack Cronin appears to understand the gravity of what they have done and he first places him in the recovery position. However, he then stamps on his head before the three suspects flee the scene,” he said.