Cork man to await CCTV footage before deciding plea for alleged assault of man in his 60s

The alleged attack on the vulnerable 66-year-old man is said to have happened on Cork City street in the middle of the day

Eddie Burke, solicitor, applied for a copy of the prosecution statements and CCTV of the incident so that the possibility of a guilty plea could be considered. File picture: Denis Minihane

CCTV footage of an alleged attack on a vulnerable 66-year-old man in Cork City in the middle of the day is to be sent to a Cork man's defence solicitor so that consideration can be given to the possibility of entering a signed plea of guilty to the charge of assault causing harm.

Jonathan Mason of Farranferris Park, Farranree, Cork, is charged with carrying out the assault causing harm on a 66-year-old man at Great William O’Brien Street, Cork, at noon on Thursday, January 16.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial by indictment or the entry of a signed plea of guilty at the district court for sentencing at the circuit.

Mr Mason, aged 40, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison on this assault charge. Eddie Burke, solicitor, applied for a copy of the prosecution statements and CCTV of the incident so that the possibility of a guilty plea could be considered.

Detective Garda Brian Holland said previously: “Jonathan Mason knows the injured party and knows the address where he resides – a vulnerable 66-year-old man. This was a senseless and violent act on a vulnerable, elderly man that was planned and carried out in the middle of the afternoon. 

"He stalked his victim and followed him and seriously assaulted him.” 

Solicitor Eddie Burke said at the first court appearance earlier this year that the defendant insisted that he had nothing to do with the crime.

Denying that he had anything to do with the crime, Jonathan Mason said: “I am not a violent person. I stays in my nanny’s or in my partner’s in Charleville. I am clean of drugs. I’m on Suboxone. 

"I pass that way (where the crime was committed) every day to collect my tablet next door to Watercourse Road garda station. My dad is the same age (as the injured party). I wouldn’t like that to happen to my dad.” 

Judge Treasa Kelly remanded the accused in custody until May 7.