Man smashed glass door with bare hands during row

A man who went to his ex-girlfriend’s house and smashed up a glass door and window with his bare hands was jailed yesterday.

Gardaí arrived at the scene last month to find Stephen O’Sullivan bleeding heavily from cuts to his hands.

Judge Con O’Leary imposed a 12-month jail sentence, with the last eight months suspended, on O’Sullivan, aged 21, of 36 Courtown Drive, Knocknaheeny, at Cork District Court yesterday.

O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage at his ex-girlfriend’s house at St John’s Well, Fairhill, Cork, on Apr 19.

Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle recalled yesterday that when O’Sullivan was first brought before the court in relation to the matter, his hands were extensively bandaged.

Inspector Mary King said yesterday that O’Sullivan had broken a window and a glass door at the front of his ex-girlfriend’s house with his bare hands and that when gardaí arrived they found him very intoxicated and with his hands badly cut.

“He had to be removed by ambulance for medical treatment,” said Insp King.

The damage cost €1,700 to fix, as the door frame and locking mechanism were damaged beyond repair.

Mr Boyle said O’Sullivan had self-harmed and had suicidal ideation for which he was previously hospitalised. The solicitor said O’Sullivan’s family were very concerned about him.

Mr Boyle said there was a domestic background to O’Sullivan’s actions on the night.

He shouted in at his ex-girlfriend as he caused the damage: “Come out here you c**t, I want you. I hope there is enough guards ready for me.”