Jail for glass attack on man’s eye
Jordan O’Donovan, of 20 Willow Bank, Fairhill, Cork, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing serious harm to Mark Flynn.
The injured party, who was offered €6,000 compensation by O’Donovan, said through Detective Garda Colin Greenway that he was not interested in taking it.
Sinead Behan, defence barrister, described it as impulsive and a moment of absolute madness which he totally regretted.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that for the 22-year-old injured party, Mark Flynn, it was a devastating injury which left him with no functional use of his right eye. This affected his confidence and career path.
The judge said he was satisfied the defendant’s remorse was genuine but he added: “When all is said and done, he hit out with a glass in his hand. That is just not acceptable.”
Det. Garda Greenway said the injured party and his friend went to the smoking area of the Savoy Centre last St Stephen’s night and approached a young man and two women for a light. One of the girls was giving him a light when the accused, Jordan O’Donovan, blew out the lighter three or four times.
The detective said O’Donovan, 20, initiated a physical altercation out of what started verbally and he struck the injured party in the face with a glass in his hand. This altercation was very brief but the injury was very severe, consisting of a laceration to the eyeball.
It is visibly scarred and the injured party described the vision in that eye as being comparable to being under water.
The detective said the injury had a huge effect on the life of Mr Flynn and his family.
When Mr Flynn spoke of the impact that offence had on his life, Sinead Behan, defence barrister, expressed her client’s apology. The injured party said: “I appreciate the apology. That cannot change anything. The damage is done. It has made a mess of my life.”
“He was working as a security guard and he was studying leisure management. Unfortunately, due to the injury he was not able to take up the course again... He was very active in martial arts and hoped to be a martial arts instructor. This has had a huge effect on his confidence socially,” Det Garda Greenway said.
Ms Behan said the accused, Jordan O’Donovan, had a difficulty with alcohol and cannabis at the time and it was confirmed that he was clearly intoxicated on the night.
Ms Behan said O’Donovan was overwhelmed when he saw himself involved in the assault when CCTV was shown to him.
“He thought he looked like a monster on the CCTV. He was horrified by what he saw.
“He has taken steps to deal with his problems and is due to complete a 12-week residential treatment programme,” the defence barrister said.
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