Three years over sword attack

A three-year jail term was imposed yesterday on a man who fractured another man’s skull with a samurai sword.

Patrick O’Rourke went on a hunger strike earlier last year in prison while awaiting sentence.

Mahon Corkery, defending, had applied for a psychiatric report to be prepared on O’Rourke as he appeared to be unable to give any clear instructions. Mr Corkery said yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that he had now received lucid instructions and the accused was prepared to be sentenced.