Man (34) charged in connection with suspected ‘corrosive fluid’ attack in Cork

A 34-year-old man has appeared in court charged in connection with a suspected "corrosive fluid" attack on a man at a house in Ballyphehane in Cork city.

John Paul Carey of Dunmanus Crescent, Knocknaheeny, was charged with assault causing harm to Francis Costello at a house on Connolly Road, Ballyphehane, on Friday night. The charge is contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

He appeared before Cork District Court on Sunday evening, where he was granted bail.

Investigating gardaí told the court Mr Costello incurred serious injuries and may lose an eye after he was attacked in his home.

Garda Det Maurice O’Connor gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said the defendant made no reply when the charge was put to him at the Bridewell Garda station in Cork city on Saturday at 6.42pm.

Det O'Connor objected to bail arising out of the serious nature of the charge. He told Judge John King that Mr Costello opened his door at 8.22pm on Friday and was met by a man who threw a suspected corrosive fluid in his direction.

Two of Mr Costello’s brothers were in the house at the time. The court heard one of the brothers also incurred serious injuries in the incident and is in danger of losing his sight.

Stringent conditions

Det O’Connor stated that the attack had caused “devastation to [Francis] and his brother [John].”

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said his client was employed on a building site. He was making €600 or €700 a week and he asked that he be remanded on bail.

Judge King granted bail with stringent conditions attached. The accused was warned he was to have no contact, either direct or indirect, with the injured party, his immediate family or any witnesses. He is also to stay on the northside of the city except for when he is in Maryborough Hill in Rochestown on the city's southside for work.

He has to obey a curfew from 9pm to 6am daily and has to sign on three times a week at Gurranabraher Garda station on the northside of the city. He must also be contactable by gardaí on his phone 24 hours a day.

Judge King warned the defendant he was also forbidden from contacting the injured party, his family or witnesses on social media.

He was then remanded on bail on his own bond of €700 to a sitting of Cork District court on May 12th.