Cork man violently assaulted another man on busy city centre street filled with shoppers and visitors

Accused and accomplice lay in wait for the victim to pass and accused viciously stabbed him with a knife from behind, court heard

Oliver Plunkett Street was full of shoppers, and people relaxing over coffees and ice creams when violent assault took place, court told. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Shoppers, schoolchildren and people relaxing over coffees and ice creams on an afternoon in Cork City were shocked by a violent attack on a man, who was stabbed and slashed up to 20 times by a man who acted like the attack was “a badge of honour”.

On Thursday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, 25-year-old Aaron Bohane was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the last year suspended, by Judge Helen Boyle.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin quoted from witnesses to this afternoon violence that the parties did not seem to care about the many men, women and children in the area at the time on that sunny afternoon.

Judge Helen Boyle said this was an aggravating factor in the case, as were the fact it was pre-meditated, and the cowardly nature of lying in wait for the victim and then attacking him from behind as he walked down the street.

“This was a completely outrageous attack on a sunny Friday autumnal afternoon when citizens and visitors to Cork were relaxing on the street eating ice cream and drinking coffee,” she said.

Det Garda Cronin said the injured party was walking along Oliver Plunkett Street shortly after 5pm on September 6. He said Mr Bohane was in a doorway on the street, while a man with him was acting as a lookout.

“He gave Aaron Bohane a gesture. Mr Bohane removed a silver-coloured knife from the waistband of his pants and he viciously assaulted the injured party from behind. In the course of 16 seconds, he attempted to stab and slash him up to 20 times.

“The male with him then struck the injured party over the head with a glass bottle.

“The injured party had serious lacerations to his head, arms and back and was taken to Cork University Hospital for surgery,” Det Garda Cronin said.

“Mr Bohane said the injured party had previously threatened his partner and he acted like the assault was a badge of honour — he showed no remorse,” the detective said.

The accused admitted assault causing harm and producing the bladed weapon.

Defence barrister Niamh Stewart said Mr Bohane said the injured party threatened the mother of his child. She added the injured party, Gavin Sheehan, would be known to gardaí, adding she was not taking from from the fact that he suffered injuries.

“Mr Bohane has been in custody since September 8, 2024. He did not take up High Court bail. He is 25 years of age. He is extremely remorseful. He was homeless at the time and was using drugs. He had mental health issues. This was totally out of character on his previous record.

“He was on drugs. He made full admissions to the guards. He has never been before this court before. He tells me he is extremely remorseful and wants that to be conveyed to the injured party,” Ms Stewart said.

Judge Boyle said to the accused: “You have some purported motive but there is no evidence of that. Even if there was, you should have reported it to An Garda Síochána. I do not accept there was any motive for this attack.” 

Aaron Bohane pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to Gavin Sheehan on Oliver Plunkett Street, and producing a knife.