Man nearly blinded by punch over spilled drink

ONE punch had devastating consequences for a young man who was almost blinded in his right eye by the blow he suffered for accidentally spilling another man’s drink.

The injured party, Martin Kennedy, told Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday: “This incident has had a very serious impact on my life. I get depressed thinking about what I can do with the rest of my life because of this injury. I am only 27.”

The man who struck the blow, Patrick Shanahan, aged 26, of Ballinvoher, Kilworth, Co Cork, came before the court for sentencing yesterday. He previously admitted a charge of assault causing serious harm to Mr Kennedy on November 21, 2010, at Grocers’ nightclub, The Abbey Bar, Fermoy, Co Cork.