Cork man armed with screwdriver threatened another man, shouting: 'Do you want to die, black boy?'

Accused and others surrounded the victim, who was walking alone in Cork City, court told

Judge said offence merited a headline sentence of six years but said this should be reduced in light of the early plea of guilty and the defendant’s youth. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 21-year-old man who armed himself with a screwdriver and shouted at a 32-year-old man walking alone in Cork City: “Do you want to die, black boy?” was jailed on Wednesday for three years.

Sergeant Pat O’Connell testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court the unprovoked threat was made to the man, who did not know his assailant.

James Hogan, of 60 Liffey Park, Mayfield, Cork, and others surrounded the victim and it was Hogan who produced the screwdriver and made the death threat.

Judge Helen Boyle said it merited a headline sentence of six years but said this should be reduced in light of the early plea of guilty and the defendant’s youth.

She imposed a sentence of four years, with the last year suspended.

James Hogan pleaded guilty to making a death threat and production of a weapon — a screwdriver — contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Sgt O’Connell said: “On July 12, 2024, gardaí received a call that a male had threatened another male with a screwdriver and shouted: 'Do you want to die, black boy?' The screwdriver was disposed of in a nearby bin. Gardaí went to the scene and the male was identified by gardaí as James Hogan.

“The screwdriver was retrieved from the bin. CCTV was downloaded which shows James Hogan holding the screwdriver and shouting at the injured party.

“An injured party statement was taken and there were two witnesses, with one stating that the screwdriver had been put in the bin, and the other witness saying what occurred.” 

The accused said: “I am very very sorry, I can’t say it enough.” 

Judge Boyle took the young man’s remorse to be genuine. “I accept you are doing well in custody. You did not do well in school but you are trying your best to improve yourself in custody. I accept you had a number of traumatic events in your life, with a history of learning difficulties and psycho-social difficulties in your upbringing.”