Cork man previously accused of attacking tourist found today with knife down his sock, court told

The young man was allowed out on bail

In an earlier case it was alleged that the tourist was approached by a young man who punched her once with his right hand, connecting with the left side of her body. File picture: Larry Cummins

A young American visiting Cork was punched once by a young man who accosted her in the city centre and today the man charged with carrying out this crime last September was allegedly caught in the early hours of the morning with a flick-knife down his sock.

Garda Molly O’Driscoll objected to bail being granted to 20-year-old Michael O’Sullivan of 1 Monastery Close, Monastery Hill, Blarney Street, Cork, at Cork District Court. She testified that he was arrested at 6.30am on Friday at Mount Eden Road, Gurranabraher.

Garda O’Driscoll objected to bail on the new charge and said that when searched the defendant had a flick-knife down his right sock. He was charged under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.

Judge Catherine Ryan acceded to the application for bail made on behalf of the 20-year-old by solicitor Stephen Cotter.

Bail conditions require him to sign three times a week at Gurranabraher garda station, keep a curfew to be home between 11pm and 6am each night, provide gardaí with a phone number at which he can be contacted at all times and to abstain from intoxicants at all times.

Alleged assault

In respect of this charge in relation to a weapon, and charges arising out of the alleged assault on the tourist in September, Sergeant John Kelleher asked for both cases to be adjourned until June 18 for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Judge Ryan remanded Michael O’Sullivan on bail until then.

It was alleged in the earlier case that just after midnight on the morning of Tuesday, September 30, the incident occurred at Half Moon Street in Cork, and that the 22-year-old visitor had only arrived recently in Cork.

The allegation was that she was approached by a young man who punched her once with his right hand, connecting with the left side of her body. 

The injured party managed to record a portion of the incident on her mobile phone. He was charged with counts including assault of the young woman.

Arising out of that alleged incident last September, the defendant was charged with assault, being drunk and a danger and being in possession of a knife.