Suspended sentence after false claims against bar staff in Cork

Stephen Foley, aged 56, had alleged he had been sexually assaulted by door staff, after he was ejected from Impala bar

Foley, of 20 The Maples, Bridgemount, Carrigaline, Co Cork, was charged with Section 4 and Section 6 Public Order offences.

A man falsely accused staff in a popular Cork bar of sexual assault after they ejected him from the premises, before he threatened to “do in” a garda.

Stephen Foley, aged 56, had alleged that he had been sexually assaulted by door staff, after he was ejected from Impala bar.

However, after gardaí checked CCTV footage from the bar, they found this allegation to be untrue, but saw Mr Foley shouting at staff, saying they sexually assaulted him on March 18.

He then made further allegations of sexual assault, he told gardaí he previously “did time” in prison and would do a life sentence in order to hurt a garda.

Foley, of 20 The Maples, Bridgemount, Carrigaline, Co Cork, was charged with Section 4 and Section 6 Public Order offences.

Cork District Court heard Foley had 75 previous convictions, including public order offences, assault, drug possession and burglary.

His last conviction was in 2018, when he was sentenced to nine months for burglary.

Judge Joanne Carroll said he had made allegations against staff, the public, and a garda, and then threatened to “do a garda in”.

Solicitor Eddie Burke, defending, said Foley was sorry for his behaviour that night.

“He has no recollection and is very sorry,” said Mr Burke. “It was a verbal situation, disturbing as it was for those involved.”

Judge Carroll noted he should be aware of the seriousness of sexual assault allegations, and not “casually throw” them at other people.

Mr Burke said Foley had suffered significant recent tragedies. He had lost his wife and, in August, lost his son.

“A lot of people thought he’d turn to drink, but he hasn’t,” Mr Burke said.

Instead, he had taken respite in caring for his family, he said.

“He has not been in trouble since 2017, he was in court for that in 2018.

“He’s a very balanced man, but with drink, he’s a different person altogether.

“He’s on disability, he’s not working.”

Judge Carroll asked if Foley was attending therapy and was told he had been attending Arbor House.

A three-month sentence was suspended for 18 months, on condition that Foley attends addiction treatment and counselling.

A 12-month probation bond was also issued and he was ordered to cooperate with the probation service.