Man jailed for ‘biting hand that feeds him’
Thomas O’Brien, 23, originally from Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, had been allowed into the Simon community premises at Anderson’s Quay, Cork, on Feb 17, but lost that permission as a result of misbehaviour.
Inspector Bill Duane said when Simon outreach worker Frank Horgan opened the door for delivery staff, O’Brien stepped forward. Mr Horgan put up his right hand indicating to O’Brien that he should not enter the premises.
“He bent down and bit Frank Horgan on the right arm leaving a bite mark. On CCTV he was clearly seen biting him on the arm. He had 73 previous convictions,” Insp Duane said.
Judge Olann Kelleher said: “That was a terrible thing to do.”
Solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said, to compound the matter, the defendant did it to a man with whom he got on very well. The solicitor said O’Brien got on very well with all of the staff and was dependent on them.
“It was literally biting the hand that feeds him,” Mr Kelleher said.
O’Brien had a serious drink problem and was struggling to deal with it. He was not usually violent, Mr Kelleher said.
Mr Kelleher said the defendant was now living with Simon at Gateway on Leitrim Street, Cork, and that would not have been possible if the staff did not have a degree of trust in O’Brien since the assault on Feb 17.
Judge Kelleher imposed a three-week prison sentence.
