Cork supermarket manager punched in the face

The manager of a supermarket was punched in the face as he and staff escorted a drunken man from the premises. The culprit was yesterday sentenced to two years imprisonment with the second year suspended.

Tim Foley, aged 41, from Bandon, Co Cork, and with an address at 46, Leesdale, Model Farm Rd, Cork, was sentenced by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Garda Aisling Murphy testified Foley arrived at the Tesco Express at Dennehy’s Cross in Cork shortly after 9am on March 4 last year.

He was asked to leave for causing a disturbance, but refused to go. Foley was ushered to the door by staff at the premises. Just as he was at the door, he turned around and punched manager Barry O’Keeffe in the face, knocking him to the ground. When Garda Murphy arrived, she observed Mr O’Keeffe had a mark to his eye and was bleeding from the nose. Four of his teeth were damaged. He was out of work for a month as a result of his injuries.

Brendan Kelly, defence barrister, said of Foley: “He cannot see himself living long if he keeps going the way he is going. He has had a very sad life. His addiction issues are profound. He managed to stay off drink for some time but fell off the wagon a short time before this incident. He needs treatment. He has severe tinnitus from injuries he suffered in drink.”

Garda Murphy said Foley had 101 previous convictions including two for assault.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said: “I accept he is seriously addicted to drink and gets involved in these sorts of offences. It was very nasty. He went into the shop, caused a bit of a row and when they tried to put him out he gave the manager quite nasty injuries to his face. He does not have the ability to dry out. He is a severe alcoholic. He needs treatment.”

Part of the sentence was suspended on condition Foley goes into a residential treatment centre on his release from prison and keep the peace for two years.