Cork man accused of smashing glass bottle on homeless man's face as he slept in a doorway

Injured party was sleeping in doorway on Oliver Plunkett Street when he was attacked, court heard

The judge refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody. Picture: Denis Minihane

A homeless man sleeping in a doorway had a glass bottle smashed into his face in the early hours of the morning, leaving him with lacerations around his left eye, it was alleged, as gardaí objected to bail for the man accused of carrying out the attack.

Michael Faulkner, 42, of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, was brought before Cork District Court charged with assault causing harm to the sleeping man, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Sergeant John Dineen said it was alleged that on April 24 at about 6.18am, on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork City, Michael Faulkner approached a man who was asleep in a doorway on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street.

It was alleged Michael Faulkner produced a glass bottle and proceeded to smash the bottle off the man’s face while he was asleep, and this was an unprovoked attack and the incident in its entirety was captured on CCTV, and Michael Faulkner was clearly identified on the footage committing the offence.

Gardaí Marc Burke and Liam O'Brien received a report of the man being assaulted on Lower Oliver Plunkett Street. They arrived at the scene and observed the injured party outside the gate of Cork Simon Community, with blood on his face.

Gardaí observed he had lacerations on his left eye, along with swelling and bruising. He was subsequently taken to Mercy University Hospital by ambulance.

Garda Michael McCarthy later arrested Michael Faulkner and charged in him in relation to the alleged incident.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant would stay away from Cork city centre and reside at Dunmore Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, if granted bail.

Michael Faulkner told gardaí he was addicted to crack cocaine and Sergeant Dineen said the prosecution did not believe this was something that could be turned off like the flick of a switch.

Judge Treasa Kelly said to the accused: “You allegedly assaulted another homeless individual as he slept in a doorway. It looks like it was a random assault. I refuse bail.” 

Michael Faulkner was remanded in custody until May 12 and directions will be sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.