Cork accused given chance to ‘put best foot forward’ following row

A 29-year-old man who threw a glass bottle at another man’s head at the height of a row between parties in Glanmire was warned by a sentencing judge that it warranted a jail term, but the accused was given a chance to “put his best foot forward with the Probation Service”.

Rather than finalising the case against Donal Bullman, of 15 Willow Gardens, Brooklodge, Glanmire, for assault at Cork District Court, Judge John King said that he would adjourn the matter until April 15 for the preparation of a probation report.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the assault which occurred on November 8, 2024, at Brooklodge Grove, Glanmire.

Garda Fiona Lane received a call to attend the area.

That afternoon, a number of men were on the black path in the area when it was alleged that Bullman and other men arrived and came towards them with weapons, including sticks and hammers.

The injured party and his group ran into a house at Brooklodge.

When the group with the injured party emerged, the defendant hit him in the head by throwing the bottle, Sgt Dineen said.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said that, back on the day in question, there was an unexpected meeting between two groups, and there was a row about an issue “of no great importance” that had arisen a few months before that.

Mr Buttimer said the accused recently returned to employment.

He added that the defendant and the injured party know each other, and there is no longer any animus between them.