Cork man who threw beer keg through city centre pub window is jailed

Judge noted the pub was open at the time and defendant 'could have just walked in the door'

The incident happened at Reardens on Washington Street on May 4, 2020. Picture: Larry Cummins

A Mallow man threw a beer keg through the window of Reardens pub in Cork City and the sentencing judge noted it happened at a time when the premises was open and the accused could have walked in the front door.

But in fairness to the accused man, Bernard Horgan, originally of Woodview, Mallow, Co Cork, Judge Philip O’Leary said the 37-year-old had met the case against him very fairly.

While the case dates back almost five years, there was no issue made by the defence in relation to the prosecution delay in bringing the case. Bernard Horgan pleaded guilty to the charge of causing criminal damage to the premises.

It happened on May 4, 2020, at Reardens on Washington Street, when he threw a keg through a window, causing €50 damage.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said rather than making an argument about delay, the defendant just wanted to get on with the case.

Judge Philip O’Leary convicted him and sentenced him to three months for causing the criminal damage.

That sentence will run concurrently with a longer sentence Mr Horgan is serving for an unrelated crime.

Sergeant Dave Delea said the keg was thrown at about 10.30pm that night.

Judge O’Leary remarked: “The bar would have been open at the time — he could have just walked in the door.” 

The accused has 192 previous convictions, including two for causing criminal damage.

Mr Burke said: “He is trying hard to put things in place for when he comes out of prison.” 

Judge O’Leary said the three months imposed on Monday would not increase the overall period of time which he would serve in custody.