No jail for young man involved in 'cowardly' four v one assault on Cork city centre street

The judge said it was only by good fortune that the young man who was assaulted was not seriously injured or even killed

The assault happened on Winthrop Street at 3.45am. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Cowardly was how a sentencing judge described the attack by four men on one victim in Cork city centre.

Judge Helen Boyle said it was only by good fortune that the young man who was assaulted was not seriously injured or even killed.

“It was a cowardly assault — four against one. You struck him twice. Then he was knocked to the ground by another person. While he was on the ground you kicked him in the head,” Judge Boyle said to 21-year-old Sandro Tavares of Clos Na Baoi, Kilnagleary, Carriglaine, who admitted assault causing harm to another man at Winthrop Street, Cork, on November 14, 2021.

“You are very lucky you did not kill that man or cause him a serious brain injury. That young man is lucky he did not suffer serious harm and you are also lucky. He is entitled to go home safely from his night out,” Judge Boyle said.

Carmel Goggin, barrister, said the defendant had no previous convictions and expressed his remorse for his actions. He also brought €2,000 compensation to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the victim.

Judge Boyle said: “It is a tangible token of his remorse.” The judge imposed a two-year sentence which was suspended.

The incident occurred at 3.45am when the victim was involved in a verbal exchange with a group of men. The defendant and three other people then followed the victim who tried to run away from them. 

He was knocked to the ground at Winthrop Street and further assaulted when he was on the ground. His injuries included bruising to the left eye and swelling to the left side of his face.