Man accused of assaulting drag queen on Cork City street to be tried in district court

The court heard that various recordings had been 'doing the rounds'

The alleged incident is said to have occurred on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, on October 26, 2025. File picture: Andy Gibson

A case related to a widely shared video of an alleged assault on a drag queen in Cork city centre has been found suitable for summary jurisdiction at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case could be heard at district court level.

Once those directions were given it was a matter of outlining the allegations in the case for Judge Miriam Walsh. Once the judge heard the outline she also accepted district court jurisdiction.

The case has now been adjourned so that a copy of the prosecution evidence, including any video footage, in relation to the alleged assault can be sent to defence solicitor Frank Buttimer. 

It will then be a matter for the defence if there will be a plea of guilty or not guilty by defendant, 23-year-old Martin Ekhosuehi of Willow Gardens, Brooklodge, Glanmire, to the charge of assault causing harm.

Sgt Davis said the alleged incident occurred on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork, on October 26, 2025.

“Garda Steven O'Sullivan responded to a report of an alleged assault having occurred on Oliver Plunkett St, Cork. On arrival to the scene Garda O'Sullivan spoke to the injured party who informed him that he had been assaulted by man he described.

“The injured party had a cut on his chin which was bleeding and he supplied Garda O'Sullivan with photographs and videos of the suspect.

“The injured party had been recording a video after midnight. It is alleged that the defendant and others were laughing at him and that he went over and spoke to Mr Ekhosuehi who punched him once.

“A short while later Garda O'Sullivan observed a male on Oliver Plunkett St matching the description of the male in the videos and photographs. Garda O'Sullivan approached this male and established his identity as Martin Ekhosuehi. 

“Garda O'Sullivan arrested Martin Ekhosuehi at 6 Willow Gardens, Brooklodge, Glanmire, Cork, on suspicion of assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act. Martin Ekhosuehi made admissions to causing harm by swiping his phone in the direction of his face.” 

Requesting that the photos and CCTV of the alleged incident would be sent to the defence, Mr Buttimer said that various recordings had been “doing the rounds”.