Man feared for his life during ‘frenzied’ attack
A man walking home through Cork city centre in the early hours of the morning thought he was going to be killed by two young men who subjected him to a frenzied attack.
John O’Driscoll, 45, was stabbed twice, had his jaw broken and was kicked in the head while on the ground after he was confronted by two males who demanded money from him.
It was not until he held up a beer barrel to fend them off that his attackers walked away.
An eight-year sentence with the last two years suspended was imposed on Jamie Crowley, of 24 Nutley Road, Mahon, Cork, who pleaded guilty to robbing Mr O’Driscoll of €100 at South Mall, Cork, on September 5, assault causing harm, production of a knife and possessing cannabis. Crowley had previous convictions.
His accomplice, Peter Carroll, aged 21, of 51 Corrib Lawn, Mayfield, Cork, had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to robbing the man and assault causing harm. He got a sentence of five years with the last two years suspended.
Mr O’Driscoll stated: “I was kicked on the ground while the other one was stabbing me in the back.
“I really thought I was going to be killed.
“I was in shock. I don’t know how I managed but I picked up a keg to use as defence. This action saved me as they both ran off.”
Mr O’Driscoll said he was left to wonder if the attack would have occurred at all if one of the men — who was out on bail on other charges — had been denied this bail. Mr O’Driscoll described it as a life-threatening attack.
After the assault, he managed to walk to Anglesea St Garda Station from where he was taken to Cork University Hospital.
He received treatment for a double fracture to his jaw as well as the two stab wounds. He underwent surgery to place a plate in his jaw and will require further surgery.
Judge Ó Donnabháin described the attack as vicious and frenzied where there was a determination to cause injury to the man who was walking home from work.
“This man thought they were going to kill him. Except for the beer barrel, that is the risk he was in,” he said.
Both defendants expressed their shame, remorse and apology for what they did to the victim on the night.
