Man charged after Cork pensioner punched, kicked on ground

A 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with an attack in Cork city centre which left a pensioner with serious injuries to his face and head.

Sean Heelan appeared at Cork District Court on Thursday where he was charged with assault causing harm to the 79-year-old pensioner on St Paul’s Avenue in Cork on December 1st.

The pensioner was returning to his car parked on St Paul’s Avenue, off Paul Street in Cork city centre, at about 9.30pm on December 1st when the assault is alleged to have occurred.

The victim, who is from the Blarney area, was admitted to the Mercy University Hospital where he was kept in overnight and treated for his injuries before being discharged.

On Thursday, Det Garda Gordon Crowley gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr Heelan who replied “I’m sorry” when the charge was put to him after caution.

Insp Ronan Kenneally said gardaí were objecting to bail.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle said his client was not applying for bail at this point.

Judge Leo Malone remanded Mr Heelan, a native of Boherbue in North Cork but resident at Cork Simon on Anderson’s Quay in Cork, in custody by consent to appear again on December 10th.

Mr Heelan was also charged with a separate unrelated offence of criminal damage to a house at Clifton Terrace, Summerhill North, where a number of windows were broken on December 2nd.

Det Garda Crowley told the court that Mr Heelan also replied “I’m sorry” when charged with the criminal damage offence and the charge was put to him after caution.

Judge Malone was told Mr Heelan is unemployed. He granted him free legal aid before adjourning the matter until December 10th for the DPP’s directions in the case.