'Things are difficult' for homeless man whose dog bit woman at Cork's Marina Market, court told

Cork District Court heard the defendant 'is quite sad' since the dog has since been given to an animal charity

The incident happened at the Marina Market in 2023. File picture: Cian O'Regan

A little Jack Russell-type dog bit a young woman on the leg as she tried to defend her own dog from attack at the Marina Market and now the judge dealing with the case said: “I feel very sorry for the victim who is totally blameless.” 

The homeless man who had been living at Lower Glanmire Road was ordered to gather €600 compensation for the injured party and he did so. Now Radim Hradsky has been fined a total of €250 on the charges of failing to have his Jack Russell-type dog under effectual control and not having a dog licence.

Killian McCarthy, solicitor, said the accused was now homeless and in poor mental health. He said the dog has been given to an animal charity. He said Mr Hradsky, who is aged around 50, has in effect no companionship.

He said: “He is quite sad. He has certain mental health difficulties. He tells me things are difficult for him.” Judge Mary Dorgan said in relation to the matters before the court: “This was not good enough. 

“If you own a dog you have to have a licence. If you own a dog you have to have a lead. The dog is obviously quite vicious — that this type of injury was inflicted has huge repercussions for the injured party.” 

Garda testimony

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incident at Cork District Court.

“On the May 29, 2023, Garda Seán Finnegan responded to a report from a female having been bit by a loose dog at the Marina Market, Centre Park Road, Cork. 

"On arrival at the scene Garda Finnegan spoke with the young woman who said she was bitten by a Jack Russell-type terrier dog. She had visible bite injuries to her right calf. These injuries required her to have stitches at the Mercy Hospital.

“The unleashed dog growled at her dog and the injured party stepped forward to prevent her dog being attacked. Garda Finnegan patrolled the area and located the alleged offender (Radim Hradsky) and the offending dog in Kennedy Park a short distance from the Marina Market. 

"Radim Hradsky provided Garda Finnegan with his personal details including his address. He declined the opportunity to make a statement stating that his English was not good enough. CCTV was of poor quality but it captured an interaction between two dogs,” Sgt Davis said.

In a victim impact statement, the woman who is in her mid-20s described herself as an animal lover who did not want to see any harm coming to the dog and did not blame the dog.

She said:
I blame the irresponsible owner and his lack of care.

The injured party said it was explained to her in hospital that bite wounds are often not stitched so that the risk of infection can be avoided. However, she was told that it had to be stitched because it was so deep, and this required a number of follow-up visits to her doctor to make sure that there was no infection.