Man was randomly assaulted after leaving opticians in Cork city centre, court told

A 34-year-old man accused of carrying out an unprovoked assault on a 64-year-old man in Cork city centre in a lunchtime incident was described by gardaí as posing a risk to the public during an objection to bail.

After hearing the state objection and the application made on behalf of the accused by defence solicitor Diane Hallahan, Judge David Waters said at Cork District Court: “I am granting bail with some reluctance. I will remand him in custody with consent to bail until September 10 on his own bond of €500, nil lodgement, and a €1,500 independent surety, with €500 cash to be lodged.”

Garda Jennifer Desmond objected to bail being granted to Mateusz Kowalkski, of no fixed address, because of the seriousness of the allegation in the case and the garda view that the accused man presents as a risk to society.

In terms of the allegations in the case, Garda Desmond said: “At 2pm on August 28, a 64-year-old man was attending an appointment with an optician at Lavitt’s Quay in Cork city.

“When he was finished his appointment and exited the building onto the footpath, he was violently struck on the right-hand side of his face under his right eye with a closed fist by an unknown male.

“He then stumbled onto the road as a result of the assault and pulled a muscle in his right leg. He suffered a cut which was bleeding under his right eye and there was large swelling.”

Gardaí attended the scene and spoke to the injured party and to an independent witness who showed gardaí a picture of the suspect. Gardaí located the suspect on Anderson’s Quay in the city. Mateusz Kowalczyk was arrested for assault causing harm.

CCTV was obtained from Egan’s Opticians and the assault and suspect are fully captured in high quality CCTV, Garda Desmond said.

The garda added that the injured party had to attend the hospital as a result of the assault and was told he will be out of work for six weeks and will have to wear an orthopaedic boot on his right leg for this duration. He will also require physiotherapy due to his injuries.