Corkman charged with 'vicious attack' on sleeping wife with hammer and boiling water

Accused said during bail application: 'My wife goes out three or four times a week, I don’t drink or smoke'

Accused was denied bail due to the seriousness of the assault. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 63-year-old Cork man accused of attacking his sleeping wife with boiling water and a claw-hammer admitted attacking her, a court has heard, and said during his bail application: “My wife goes out three or four times a week, I don’t drink or smoke.” 

Noel Twomey, of 18 Carbery Grove, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was arrested after he flagged down a Garda patrol car while soaked in his wife’s blood and carrying a bloodstained hammer in a plastic bag at 5am on Monday, January 15, at Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, the court heard.

Detective Garda Brian Murphy charged Mr Twomey with two counts of assault causing harm to his wife, Jackie Twomey, at the family home.

Objecting to bail, Det Gda Murphy said: “This is very serious. She went to sleep in the safety of her own bed. Noel Twomey made the very conscious decision to boil a pot of water and retrieve a claw hammer from the tool box.

“He has stated that he paced the apartment 10 to 20 times considering would he carry out his actions. He then entered his bedroom where his wife slept and attacked her in a cowardly fashion as she lay asleep.

“He showed no remorse and never enquired about his wife’s condition.

"He comes across as a very controlling individual. His actions yesterday were very disturbing and sinister.” 

The detective said Ms Twomey was still in hospital after being taken into intensive care initially.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded Noel Twomey in custody until January 23. 

“It is extremely difficult to hear the accused admitted the attack and said in evidence that he thought about it prior to executing an absolutely vicious attack on his sleeping wife of 40 years.” 

Shane Collins-Daly, defence solicitor, asked the judge to direct that the accused would get all available medical and psychiatric care while in prison.

The objection to bail was based primarily on the seriousness of the assault.

Det Gda Murphy said: “It is alleged that on January 15 in the early hours of the morning, Jackie Twomey returned home. She had been out with family members that night.

“Her husband of nearly 40 years was at home and was still awake in the sitting room when she returned at approximately 3.30am. He later described her movements in detail after he obsessed with the CCTV system that was on the exterior of the property.

Jackie Twomey later went to bed and fell asleep. Noel Twomey then proceeded to fill a pot of water on the stove and armed himself with a claw hammer from a tool box.

“When the water was boiling he took the pot and the hammer and paced the flat for some time before entering the bedroom. He proceeded to pour the boiling water on his wife before striking her over the head with the hammer a number of times 

“He expressed surprise that she was able to jump up and leave the property.

“He also left the property and on Bakers Road he flagged down a patrol car. He was visibly soaked in blood and he was in possession of a blood-stained hammer in a plastic bag.

“The bedroom was declared a crime scene and examined by scenes of crime officers.” 

During Det Gda Murphy’s direct evidence at Cork District Court, Noel Twomey spoke up from the dock and complained the detective was repeating the allegations against him in his testimony. 

Judge Dorgan told him not to interrupt and said he would have his opportunity to give evidence.