Corkman accused of hitting neighbour with shovel during Wednesday's floods

Neighbour had called to offer help and later brought sandbags to 70-year-old man's house when accused allegedly became agitated and struck him with his shovel, court heard

Defendant's anxiety 'exacerbated by a once-in-a-hundred-years weather event', court told. File picture: Dan Linehan

Flooding in Kildorrery on Wednesday was blamed in court for causing such anxiety for a 70-year-old man that he allegedly struck a neighbour over the head with a shovel when the man came to his assistance with sandbags.

Garda Denis Motherway arrested Dave Sheehan, of Old Castletown, Kildorrery, Co Cork, and charged him with assault causing harm to a 50-year-old neighbour.

Sergeant John Kelleher said gardaí were opposed to bail being granted to the accused because they could not be sure there would not be a further incident involving the defendant if released.

Garda Motherway said one of the grounds for the objection to bail was the seriousness of the charge.

It was alleged that on October 18, Dave Sheehan’s neighbour called to ask him if he needed assistance as the area was flooding. The 50-year-old neighbour who lives about 500m from Mr Sheehan’s house offered to bring sandbags from the council.

The defendant phoned later to say the sandbags had arrived. The neighbour made a follow-up call to the house to look at the flooding with Dave Sheehan.

It was alleged that: “Dave Sheehan was agitated and standing at his entrance with a builder’s shovel in his hand. When the neighbour tried to leave, Dave Sheehan stood blocking the door of the car from closing. The neighbour sensed the agitation and suggested they would have a cup of tea.

“As they were walking towards the house, the neighbour received a phone call and turned briefly to take it.

“As the call finished he turned to walk into the house and he was struck with the shovel in his head and knocked to the ground. He was dazed and shocked and he got up as he feared for his life and feared he would receive another blow as Dave Sheehan was still holding the shovel.

“He got up and ran and David Sheehan ran after him with the shovel in his hand. He ran through a neighbouring property to escape but Mr Sheehan kept following him. He got to a safe place and rang gardaí.” 

After these allegations were put by Garda Motherway, defence solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said the defendant had reached the age of 70 without any conviction of any kind.

The defendant gave evidence to Judge Joanne Carroll of mental health difficulties which he experiences — principally anxiety. Mr Kelleher suggested this was “exacerbated by a once-in-a-hundred-years weather event”.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she would give him bail on condition he would stay away from the neighbour and members of his family, sign daily at Fermoy Garda Station, and see his GP within seven days and take all prescribed medication. 

The judge remanded him on bail to appear at Mallow District Court on October 24. The case would have been before Midleton District Court on Wednesday, but that was not on due to flooding, so the matter came before Cork District Court.