Man remanded in custody over assault of woman in Cork city centre

Selina Regazzoli was assaulted in a case of mistaken identity, the court heard. Picture: Instagram

A Cork man charged with assault causing harm to a 35-year-old businesswoman in Cork city in what was described as a case of mistaken identity was remanded in custody until March 27.

The accused man, 25-year-old Conor Greaney of Farranferris Avenue, Farranree, Cork, told gardaí that the assault at around 9.40am on March 7 outside the GPO on Oliver Plunkett Street on Dublin boutique owner, Selina Regazzoli, was a case of mistaken identity.

Garda Orla Moriarty of Anglesea Street Garda Station arrested and charged Mr Greaney with the assault on Ms Regazzoli, causing her harm.

Garda Moriarty said gardaí would allege Mr Greaney approached Ms Regazzoli outside the GPO while she was walking to work and that he struck her in the face in what was an unprovoked attack on an innocent victim.

She said Mr Greaney hit and pushed Ms Regazzoli, who fell and suffered a dislocation and fracture to her right ankle and had to be taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital to undergo surgery.

Garda Moriarty said that the entire incident was captured on CCTV which clearly identified Mr Greaney as Ms Regazzoli’s assailant, and he had admitted the assault when questioned by gardaí.

Mr Greaney had stated at interview following his arrest that Ms Regazzoli was not the intended target of his attack, but he threatened to get the intended target the next time, said Garda Moriarty.

She said gardaí were concerned that Mr Greaney would commit further crimes if granted bail given that he had threatened this other person while they also feared he might interfere with witnesses.

Barrister Elaine Audley was at Cork District Court to represent Mr Greaney who appeared by video link from prison.

In court last weekend the accused said he didn’t know Ms Regazzoli and that the assault on her was a case of mistaken identity as his intended victim was someone who was harassing him.

“I feel terrible, I’m disgusted with myself. I am not a monster, I didn’t intend to go as hard as I did. I didn’t intend to break anyone’s bones. I meant to more or less frighten the woman … I thought it was somebody else that was harassing me,” he said.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said directions in the case were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.