Accused punched man after tripping over his foot in Cork pub

Three front teeth were knocked out by a punch to a man who was out socialising during a jazz weekend after the assailant came to the mistaken conclusion that the victim deliberately tripped him up at a pub.

Kevin O’Flynn, aged 30, of Brookvale, Banduff, Ballyvolane, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the other man on October 29, 2023.

Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan said the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to a 44-year-old man after midnight on what was a jazz festival weekend.

Socialising

“The 44-year-old injured party was out socialising in the Bodega bar,” said Det Sgt O’Sullivan.

“He was on his own, having been shopping in town earlier. It was particularly busy that night. He was sitting at the bar.

“Kevin O’Flynn was with his girlfriend and he was walking past the injured party. He tripped over his foot, causing him and his girlfriend to fall.

“He approached the injured party, and there was an argument between them.

“Mr O’Flynn’s girlfriend asked her boyfriend to stand down, so to speak, but he threw a punch at the injured party, striking his mouth. And as the injured party walked away, he pushed him in the back.

“The injured party was taken to the CUH for injuries to his mouth. He had three teeth missing and required extensive dental treatment, costing between €10,000 and €13,000,” said Det Sgt O’Sullivan.

Co-operative

Defence barrister Mahon Corkery said O’Flynn was co-operative and remained at the scene.

He is working full-time, and gathered €10,000 compensation for the injured party.

“It was his mistaken belief that it [tripping] was a deliberate act,” said Mr Corkery.

Det Sgt O’Sullivan said: “There is no evidence to say he was tripped, but he did fall over the man’s foot.”

Noting the absence of previous convictions, the compensation, and other factors, Judge Sinead Behan imposed an 18-month suspended sentence on the defendant.