Cork judge shows 'wisdom of Solomon' with solution to phone containing hammer attack images

The violent images of the hammer attack were sent to a woman's phone by Ian Horgan who was convicted of carrying out the attacks

One video showed Ian Horgan washing blood from his hands in Fitzgerald’s Park to the sound of the song 'Lovely Day'. File picture: Denis Minihane

A solicitor told a presiding judge she had shown the 'wisdom of Solomon' by suggesting that a phone with violent images of a hammer attack could be destroyed by the State and a new phone provided for the owner.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, stressed that his client had never been charged with any offence arising out this matter where the images were sent to her phone by the man convicted of carrying out the brutal attack.

Detective Sergeant Padraig Harrington objected to the application to return the phone that was seized in the course of the investigation. “The State are not of a mind to replace the phone,” he said. 

Detective Garda Pat O’Connor of the National Cyber Crime Unit confirmed that even if the phone was restored to factory settings it would be possible with the use of specialist software to retrieve the videos. Gardaí had concerns about such images of the victim ever being circulated in the future.

Mr Cuddigan said to Judge Mary Dorgan: “Your idea has the wisdom of Solomon about it. It is a very practical solution.” Judge Dorgan said: “I thought a new phone was a good way out of this.” 

It would require the State buying a new phone for the woman if they destroy the seized phone.

Det. Garda Harrington said: “I have to follow the instructions of my Detective Superintendent.” Judge Dorgan said: “I am going to adjourn this (to November 29) so that this can be sorted.” 

48-year-old Laura O’Callaghan of Salmon Weir, Hanover Street, Cork, previously agreed with Judge Mary Dorgan during the police property application that the videos were terrible but she said: “It was nothing to do with me.” 

Ian Horgan

And she said it was not her fault that the material was sent to her phone by Ian Horgan who was convicted of carrying out the attack. 

There was evidence that Mr Horgan was in a relationship with Ms O’Callaghan’s daughter, Clarice, at the time of the attacks at MacCurtain Villas, College Road, Cork, on March 26, 2022. Neither woman was ever charged for any offence arising out of the investigation of Ian Horgan’s attack.

40-year-old Ian Horgan, of no fixed address and formerly of The Hermitage, Macroom, Co Cork, is serving 11 years and three months in prison for the attacks. One of the videos showed the victim. Another showed the attacker washing blood from his hands in Fitzgerald’s Park, to the sound of the song, “Lovely Day”.