Homeless man faring better due to his Cork Simon Community 'guardian angel', court told

The judge fined the defendant  €350 on the threatening charge and took the drunkenness into consideration. File picture: Larry Cummins

A vulnerable homeless man’s Simon Community key worker was described as “his guardian angel” helping him to avoid falling into greater dangers in his life.

42-year-old Kamil Raban of Cork Simon Community faced sentencing at Cork District Court for being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others and being abusive and insulting to gardaí during a recent public order incident. He pleaded guilty to both counts.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said: “He was recently very badly assaulted and his jaw broken. He is not under the influence of intoxicants now. He is in much better condition in that regard than a recent court appearance.

“He is usually accompanied by his key workers from Simon. He is not drinking as much. He has just been put on a housing list with Simon and he is hoping to get his own accommodation. 

"His key worker is very much his guardian angel.” 

Sergeant Aisling Murphy outlined details of the public order incident which occurred at St. Patrick’s Street, Cork, on August 24.

Gardaí encountered Kamil Raban stumbling around the pavement, slurring his words and there was a smell of intoxicating liquor from his breath. When approached by gardaí, Kamil Raban became highly aggressive calling gardaí c***s and telling them to f*** off several times.

Sgt Murphy said Mr Raban had 40 previous convictions including seven for being abusive and insulting and 16 for being so intoxicated that he was a danger.

Judge Waters said: “While it was verbal, it was unpleasant and it was a nuisance. I am not going to keep giving him fines — he needs to understand that. If this happens again I will be considering a jail sentence.” 

In this case, the judge fined him €350 on the threatening charge and took the drunkenness into consideration.