'It’s a wonder he’s not dead': Cork man bit garda after six hours on beer, rum and cocaine

Cork District Court heard he drank a litre of rum after six hours drinking beer in a pub and taking cocaine

The defendant said in relation to the bottle of rum: 'I didn’t drink it all — there was two of us.' File photo

A judge said: “It’s a wonder he’s not dead”, when she read a report that a man consumed a litre of Captain Morgan’s after six hours of drinking beer in a pub and also taking cocaine.

33-year-old Robert McCann of Meadowbrook, Riverstown, Glanmire, County Cork, spoke up at Cork District Court to say in relation to the bottle of rum: “I didn’t drink it all — there was two of us.” Even so, Judge Mary Dorgan said it was easy to believe what the defendant told the probation service — that he had absolutely no memory of what happened on the night.

Judge Dorgan adjourned sentencing of Robert McCann until January 16, 2026, on the charge of biting a member of An Garda Síochána in Glanmire. He pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the incident involving Robert McCann.

“On March 17, Garda Allie Mullins O’Keeffe and Garda Eric Stafford were on mobile patrol in Riverstown, Glanmire when Robert McCann of Meadowbrook, was observed. He was in in the middle of the road and stumbling as he attempted to walk. 

"On viewing gardaí, he gestured with his middle finger towards them and told Garda Mullins O’Keeffe to f*** off. Garda Mullins O’Keeffe exited the patrol vehicle and requested him to move to the footpath. 

"As she approached him he attempted to run away. He was apprehended 100 metres down the road. He was arrested at 8.50pm for being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others at School Terrace, Riverstown, and for threatening behaviour.

“In the course of effecting the arrest of Robert McCann he resisted and bit Garda Eric Stafford on the wrist, breaking the skin. He was conveyed to Mayfield garda station,” Sgt. Dineen said.

The 32-year-old admitted assault causing harm to Garda Stafford, obstruction, engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a danger.

Bail

The defendant is on continuing bail conditions which include signing on three times a week at Mayfield garda station, residing at his home address, abstaining from intoxicants and keeping an 11pm to 7am curfew. 

Bail also included his own bond of €1,000 with a cash lodgement of €800, as well as an independent surety of €1,000, also with an €800 cash lodgement.

He has also gathered €1,000 compensation to date, his solicitor Shane Collins-Daly confirmed.