Man attacked other drug taker as he believed drugs were laced with laxative, Cork court told

The defendant was given a three-year sentence suspended from 12 noon today on condition that he leaves the country within seven days

The court heard that the two parties had been drinking and taking drugs together throughout that day. File photo

A 43-year-old man assaulted another man because he believed that amphetamines he shared with him in Charleville were laced with laxative causing him to go to the toilet several times.

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard the man returned hours later to the house where he had taken the drugs with a balaclava and a knife and assaulted the man who shared the drugs with him.

That was almost four years ago and on Monday he is to be released from prison and return to Slovakia within seven days.

Detective Garda James McCarthy gave evidence in the case against Marcin Sliacky of Deerpark View, Charleville, County Cork, who faced sentencing for assault causing harm on December 30, 2021.

The detective said the accused was seen at Rathgoggin South, Charleville, County Cork, walking down the street covered in blood and carrying a knife and was clearly “out of it”.

On investigation it was established that the accused man had just left the home of the injured party after attacking him. Det. Garda McCarthy said the two parties had been drinking and taking drugs together throughout that day.

“Mr Sliacky believed his speed (amphetamine) had been laced with laxative. He went to the toilet a number of times. He went home and continued drinking alone. 

"The injured party heard banging at his door. The defendant was there at the door with a knife,” Det. Garda McCarthy said. The injuries inflicted on the victim required him to have 20 stitches to his head and face.

Defence senior counsel, Ray Boland, said the 43-year-old who was diagnosed with schizophrenia wanted to return home to Slovakia. He has been in Ireland for 20 years.

Mr Boland suggested that a ticket to Slovakia could be organised if the sentence could be suspended on his release from prison.

Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a three-year sentence on Mr Sliacky at Cork Circuit Criminal Court suspended from 12 noon today on condition that he leaves the jurisdiction within seven days.