A man pleaded guilty to the assault of a three-year-old boy at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday. Liam Cronin (29), of Springfield Park, Cobh, Co Cork was due to stand trial on a charge of assaulting Tristan Lonergan (3) at a house in Midleton, Co Cork between April 6th and 15th last year.
Mr Donal McCarthy, prosecuting, told the court that the boy would have a negative reaction if he had to face the defendant. Mr Cronin made an undertaking to stay away from the Lonergan family.
Mr Tim O'Leary, defending, called for an adjournment of sentencing to facilitate the preparation of a probation and welfare report. Judge Patrick J. Moran remanded him on continuing bail until February, 2002.