Man admits killing homeless Frenchman in Cork City

A Corkman confessed yesterday to the unlawful killing of a French homeless man in Cork City last September.

Daniel O’Sullivan, aged 22, of Carrowkeel, Mallow, Co Cork, came before Cork Circuit Criminal Court with one count on the indictment against him, namely the manslaughter of Vincent Morgain, aged 37.

The particulars of the charge were that he un- lawfully killed Mr Morgain on Lower Oliver Plunkett St, Cork, on September 10, 2015. He replied, “guilty”, when the charge was put to him yesterday.

Elizabeth O’Connell, defending, said: “My application is for a probation report given the gravity of the offence and the fact that he is only 22 years old and for sentence in this term [February].”

However, it emerged that it would not be possible to have the case ready for sentencing in that time frame.

Donal O’Sullivan, prosecuting, said: “There are certain logistical difficulties arranging the victim impact report.

“They [the family of the deceased] are in France and we have to [go to] them to have the report prepared.”

The late Mr Morgain was a native of Brittany. He died in Mercy University Hospital on September 15 following injuries sustained five days earlier in an assault on Lower Oliver Plunkett St.

Judge Séan Ó Donnabháin said he would adjourn the case until the April sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Ms O’Connell asked the judge to recommend the accused would get counselling in prison. She said he was struggling.

The judge agreed to make that recommendation to the prison authorities.

O’Sullivan was remanded in custody until April 21.