Homeless man sleeping in Cork doorway had bottle smashed in face

A man who was refused bail for his alleged part in an attack on a homeless man sleeping in a doorway who had a glass bottle smashed into his face in the early hours of the morning has now failed in the High Court in his appeal of this refusal of bail.

Michael Faulkner, 42, of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, appeared before Cork District Court by video link from prison.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said DPP directions were awaited in the case where Mr Faulkner is charged with assault causing harm to the sleeping man, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Judge Miriam Walsh remanded him in custody until June 23, noting there was defence consent to a three-week remand in custody in the circumstances.

Sergeant John Dineen said previously it was alleged that on April 24, at approximately 6.18am, on Lower Oliver Plunkett St, Cork, Michael Faulkner approached a man who was asleep in a doorway.

It was alleged that Michael Faulkner produced a glass bottle and proceeded to smash the bottle off the man’s face while he was asleep and the incident in its entirety was captured on CCTV and Michael Faulkner was identified on the footage committing the offence.

Gardaí Marc Burke and Liam O’Brien received a report of the man being assaulted on Lower Oliver Plunkett St. They arrived at the scene and observed the injured party outside the gate of Cork Simon Community, with blood on his face.

Gardaí observed he had lacerations on his left eye along with swelling and bruising. He was subsequently taken to Mercy University Hospital by ambulance

Garda Michael McCarthy later arrested Michael Faulkner and charged in him in relation to the alleged incident.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant would stay away from Cork city centre and reside at Dunmore Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, if granted bail.

Michael Faulkner told gardaí he was addicted to crack cocaine and Sgt Dineen said the prosecution did not believe this was something that could be turned off like the flick of a switch.