Criminal, 68, fears that he will die in prison

One of Cork’s oldest criminals, who was jailed yet again yesterday, said his biggest fear was that he would die in prison.

Anthony Goodman, aged 68, pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting a woman on her way home from Cork City at 9pm on May 31.

The woman was walking past Mulligan’s pub on Parnell Place and Goodman was standing outside.

Goodman was looking for a light for a cigarette and the woman held up her car keys to indicate she did not have a lighter in her hand.

Insp Dermot O’Connor said: “He responded by slapping her across the forehead with his hand.”

Gardaí arrested Goodman a short time later and he made full admissions.

Insp O’Connor said that Goodman had 176 previous convictions.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: “Where are we going with Mr Goodman for his sake? He must be the oldest around [the courts].”

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said Goodman was exhausted by all of his own offending.

“His fear is that he is going to die in prison,” said Mr Burke.

Referring to his latest offence, Goodman said: “I was very drunk at the time. I know I made a bit of a mistake there.”

Judge Kelleher jailed Goodman for two months for the assault.