Corkman admits assaulting man who had corrosive liquid thrown at his face

The incident happened during an alleged dispute between them over a partner

When he was in Cork Circuit Criminal Court the defendant also produced a hand-written letter of apology from the accused to the victim. File picture: Larry Cummins

A man accused of throwing a corrosive liquid into another man’s face at his front door in an alleged dispute between them over a partner has confessed to the crime of assault causing serious harm.

John Paul Carey had the case against him listed for trial by judge and jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. However, he pleaded guilty to the most significant charge of assault causing serious harm as well as assaults on two other parties on the same occasion.

When he was in Cork Circuit Criminal Court the defendant also produced a hand-written letter which he handed over to his senior counsel Elizabeth O’Connell. Judge Helen Boyle was told that it was a letter of apology from the accused to the victim.

Detective Garda Maurice O’Connor previously outlined the alleged evidence in the case against John Paul Carey, 36.

It was alleged that John Paul Carey had been in a dispute with Francis Costello after Mr Carey got involved in a dispute between Francis Costello and his ex-partner, who was in a new relationship with Carey, the detective said.

At around 9pm on March 4, 2022, Francis Costello answered a call to his door at Connolly Road and he opened it to see John Paul Carey.

“It is alleged that John Paul Carey threw a corrosive liquid in his face. He was screaming in pain and John Paul Carey began physically assaulting him.

“John and Roy Costello—brothers of Francis—heard the commotion at the front door and went to see what was happening. Roy said he saw Francis on the floor, John Paul Carey standing over him punching him,” Det. Garda O’Connor said.

The detective said Francis Costello has lost one eye as a result of this incident and is named as a victim of assault causing serious harm. Another man then allegedly appeared from behind John Paul Carey and threw a corrosive liquid at Roy and John Costello.

John Costello suffered damage to both eyes and would require plastic surgery, and is the identified as a victim of harm. A third charge is also of assault causing harm and relates to complainant Roy Costello who sustained injuries to his hands.

John Paul Carey was previously living at Dunmanus Crescent in Knocknaheeny, Cork, and also had a recent address at Allihies in West Cork.

He is to be sentenced on November 20 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.