Young Cork man avoids jail for unprovoked 'brutal beating' at Cork hotel

The judge noted that the defendant paid €10,000 compensation

Lee Kelly Obei pleaded guilty to committing a violent disorder with other persons at Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, County Cork, on March 12, 2023, and a second charge of assault causing harm to the injured party who was aged around 20.

A young man who carried out a brutal beating of another man in an unprovoked attack in Ballincollig was given a three-year suspended sentence after a week remanded in custody pending sentence.

Judge Sinead Behan said: “This was a very nasty assault where the injured party was scared for his wellbeing. He did not taunt these men or do anything to upset them.” 

Judge Behan imposed the suspended sentence on 21-year-old Lee Kelly Obei of Innishmore Grove, Ballincollig, County Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The judge noted that he paid €10,000 compensation, came from a decent background and that this was out of character for him.

The defendant said he felt deeply ashamed, had no excuse for how he had let himself and his family down and wants to build a future he can be proud of.

Judge Behan said: “This was a very serious case. He was subjected to a brutal beating. These matters weigh heavily. It was an early plea. He paid a sum of €10,000. While it is not possible to buy one’s way out it is indicative of remorse and it came from his limited resources. 

He is a young man on the cusp of going one way or another. In the circumstances I will impose a three-year suspended sentence.

Lee Kelly Obei pleaded guilty to committing a violent disorder with other persons at Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, County Cork, on March 12, 2023, and a second charge of assault causing harm to the injured party who was aged around 20.

Detective Garda Alan Johnson testified that the injured party was effectively blindsided by a punch from Lee Kelly Obei on the night. The victim did not have an opportunity to defend himself from the blow and he was then dragged outside the premises by the defendant and others.

Judge Behan was informed through a victim impact statement that the injured party suffered physical and psychological injuries as a result of the assault.

A second man previously got a suspended sentence on the single charge of engaging in a violent disorder on the night.