Cork man carrying pitchfork punched people before stealing scooter

James Hogan of 60 Liffey Park, Mayfield, Cork, stole an electric scooter following the assaults.

Young people socialising at Bell’s field overlooking Cork city were set upon by a man armed with a pitchfork who assaulted them and stole an electric scooter from one of them.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the incident at Cork District Court where James Hogan of 60 Liffey Park, Mayfield, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm.

Sgt Kelleher said the incident occurred on July 5, 2022, at Bell’s field, Richmond Hill, Cork, where a young man and two young women were socialising together when Mr Hogan and a young woman arrived.

“Mr Hogan was carrying a pitchfork. He punched the man in the face. The two females were then both attacked by James Hogan — both were punched in the head.

“He discarded the pitchfork and left the scene. Their injuries were minor cuts and bruises and they all recovered from their injuries,” Sgt Kelleher said.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said this incident occurred between 8-9pm that night. “He was identified at the scene. He was drunk and when asked afterwards he said, ‘I have no recollection of this, I have no idea why I had a pitchfork, I have no idea what I was doing’,” Mr Buttimer said.

In relation to the pitchfork, Sgt Kelleher said Mr Hogan swung it around when he arrived at the scene but it was not alleged that he struck anyone with it.

There was an earlier incident on June 2 last year when he was found asleep in a ditch at 8.30am with a claw hammer beside him at Glenamoy Lawn. On that morning he was arrested for his own safety due to his level of intoxication.

Most recently, on October 2, he was very intoxicated at Parnell Place, Cork, and when gardaí asked him his name he told them, “Ye are nothing but fucking rats.” 

Mr Buttimer said that the 19-year-old was put out of the family home because of his drinking and drug-taking and he ended up homeless for a short period. He said the teenager’s background included multi-substance addiction from a very young age.

Judge Joanne Carroll adjourned sentencing so that a probation report could be prepared on the accused. Remanding him in custody, the judge said he would be given credit for time spent in custody on remand.