A Clonmel man pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting 14-year-old Brian Rossiter, causing him harm, at Cashel Street, Clonmel, in the early hours of September 9th, 2002.
Brian Rossiter died two days after being found in a coma in a cell in Clonmel Garda station on September 11th, 2002. Before the court was Noel Hannigan (26), of Cooleens Close, Cashel Road, Clonmel. Counsel for the State Rosario Boyle said no attempt was being made to attribute the death of Brian Rossiter to the assault inflicted by Hannigan.
Ms Boyle said Hannigan committed an unprovoked assault on Brian Rossiter outside the home of his sister, Sharon Rossiter, at Cashel Street at 12.30am. The court heard that Brian Rossiter and a companion were sitting outside the house smoking cigarettes and minding their own business. The accused, then aged 22, was passing by and took a cigarette from the two boys. Hannigan went to leave the scene but came back after apparently taking some offence. He assaulted Brian Rossiter, pushing him up against a door and headbutting him a number of times and giving him an uppercut to the jaw.
The court heard that Hannigan had gone to Clonmel Garda station on September 11th, 2002, where he made a full and voluntary statement in relation to the assault. In the statement, he said that he had drunk 12 to 13 pints earlier that night and had later gone to a fast food restaurant. On his way home, he saw Brian Rossiter and asked him if he had a problem with his brother and then hit him three to four times with his head. He was sorry for what he had done.