Man who tripped over pub customer's feet knocked out his three front teeth with a punch

Injured party required extensive dental treatment, costing between €10,000 and €13,000, court heard

The incident occurred during the jazz festival weekend at the Bodega Bar.

Three front teeth were knocked out by a punch to a man who was out socialising at a jazz weekend after the assailant came to the mistaken conclusion the victim deliberately tripped him up at a pub.

Kevin O’Flynn, age 30, of Brookvale, Banduff, Ballyvolane, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the other man on October 29, 2023.

Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan said the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to a 44-year-old man after midnight on what was the jazz festival weekend.

“The 44-year-old injured party was out socialising in the Bodega Bar. He was on his own, having been shopping in town earlier. It was particularly busy that night. He was sitting at the bar.

“Kevin O’Flynn was with his girlfriend and as he was walking past the injured party he tripped over his foot, causing him and girlfriend to fall. He approached the injured party and there was an argument between them. 

"Mr O’Flynn’s girlfriend asked her boyfriend to stand down, so to speak, but he threw a punch at the injured party, striking his mouth. And as the injured party walked away, he pushed him in the back.

“The injured party was taken to the CUH for injuries to his mouth. He had three teeth missing and required extensive dental treatment, costing between €10,000 and €13,000.” 

Mahon Corkery, defence barrister, said Mr O’Flynn was cooperative and remained at the scene. He is working full-time and has gathered €10,000 in compensation for the injured party.

“It was his mistaken belief that it [tripping] was a deliberate act,” Mr Corkery said. 

Det Sgt O’Sullivan said: “There is no evidence to say he was tripped but he did fall over the man’s foot.” 

Noting the absence of previous convictions, compensation and other factors, Judge Sinead Behan imposed an 18-month suspended sentence on the defendant.