Cork man awaits sentencing for assault that left victim with brain bleed

Sentencing was adjourned until December 8 in the case against a man who admitted assaulting another young man at Washington St in Cork two years ago that left the victim with a bleed on his brain.

Sentencing of Ciarán Maguire, aged 22, of Woodbrook, Glanmire, on the charge of assault causing harm was further adjourned until that date by Judge Helen Boyle.

Garda David O’Driscoll previously said in evidence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the unprovoked assault occurred on November 20, 2023.

“Ciarán Maguire hit him twice in the head. He fell to the ground, blood coming from the side of his head. It was totally unprovoked. He was taken to Cork University Hospital.

“He was bleeding on the brain and had a loss of hearing in his left ear.

“He continued to experience tinnitus but has made a full recovery,” Garda O’Driscoll said. 

The injured party was 22 at the time of the assault and the defendant was 20. 

They did not know each other directly but were known to each other through friends, Garda O’Driscoll said.

Peter O’Flynn, defence barrister, said the accused was highly intoxicated on the night of the incident and did not have a history of violent offending.

He said the defendant’s father died when he was a young boy and he was obviously affected by this.

He had a long history of substance abuse and was using cannabis from the age of 13 and cocaine from the age of 15.