Homeless man died from brain injury from fall after assault

A 37-year-old homeless French man died from traumatic brain injury due to a fall after an assault in Cork city centre last year, an inquest into the man's death was told on Thursday.

Vincent Morgain died from traumatic brain injury following a fall with complications caused by liver disease and low platelets, assistant state pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster told the inquest.

Det Insp Declan O’Sullivan told Cork City Coroner’s Court criminal proceedings had begun in the case and he applied to have the inquest adjourned until they concluded.

Cork City Coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane granted the application under Section 25 of the Coroner's Act and adjourned the inquest into Mr Morgain's death until April 28th next.

Last week, a 22-year-old man was remanded in custody for sentence after he pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Cirminal Court to the manslaughter of Mr Morgain at Lower Oliver Plunkett St in Cork.

Daniel O'Sullivan with an address at Carrowkeel in Mallow, Co Cork pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Mr Morgain at Lower Oliver Plunkett St in Cork city on September 10th, 2015.

A native of Brittany, Mr Morgain died in the Mercy University Hospital on September 15th, 2015 following injuries sustained in an assault on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street some five days earlier.

Mr Morgain, who had worked as a chef in Killarney until he fell on hard times, had moved to Cork and was staying at the Simon Hostel on Anderson Quay in Cork city at the time of his death.

O’Sullivan’s barrister, Elizabeth O Connell BL told the court that her client was anxious to be sentenced for the crime at the current criminal sittings which continue until February 26th.

However, prosecution barrister, Donal O'Sullivan BL told judge Sean O Donnabhain that it would not be possible for logistical reasons to finalise the matter during the current criminal sittings.

The court required a Victim Impact Statement from Mr Morgain's family, who live in France, and arrangements must be put in place to allow them travel to Cork for the sentencing hearing, he said.

The judge adjourned the matter until April 21st for sentence and he remanded O’Sullivan, in custody to appear again on that date when it is expected the criminal proceedings will be finalised.

He also recommended O’Sullivan receive whatever counselling was deemed necessary while in prison on foot of an application by Ms O’Connell who said her client was finding prison difficult.