Polish man dies from injuries after weekend assault

A POLISH man who sustained head injuries in a weekend attack in Cork died yesterday.

Ariel Cegielka, aged 30, died hours after a man had appeared in court charged with assault causing harm.

The accused, Connie Horgan, 28, who was living at St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, yesterday told Cork District Court he had been acting in self-defence.

He had been arrested by Garda Killian Mohally and charged with two counts related to the incident at Lower Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, on Saturday evening.

He was also accused of producing a glass bottle in a manner likely to intimidate a person during a dispute at the same date and place.

Detective Sergeant Clodagh O’Sullivan objected to bail because of the seriousness of the charge and the fear he might intimidate witnesses or not appear in court for the case.

Judge Eamon Moloney rejected a bail application, on behalf of Horgan, by solicitor Joseph Cuddigan and remanded the accused in custody for a week.

Horgan told the court, in his bail application: “As far as I am concerned it is self-defence.”

Questioned by Inspector Bill Duane, the accused said he had no reason to abscond as he was living in Cork where he was on a methadone programme.

He said he had a 13-year problem with drugs and had been clear of drugs while on the methadone programme for more than nine months.

During her evidence to the court, Det Sgt O’Sullivan said the victim was, at that stage, in a serious condition in Cork University Hospital.

She also said there was a “likelihood of further serious charges”.