Man charged over fatal Cork fracas

A man has been charged with assault in relation to a fracas on St Stephen’s Night 2011 in Cork city in which one of his friends was fatally assaulted.

Keith Spillane (36) was charged with assault causing harm to Dean Crinnon at the Manhattan Bar on Lower Friar’s Walk in Cork in the early hours of December 27th, 2011.

Det Garda Anthony Harrigton gave evidence of arrest charge and caution at Cork District Court. He said Mr Spillane made no reply to the charge after caution.

He said gardaí had no objection to Mr Spilllane, from Ashbrook Heights, Lehanaghmore in Togher, Cork, obtaining bail on the charge once certain conditions were met.

Insp Billy Duane said the DPP had directed trial by indictment and asked to have the case adjourned until January 23rd when Mr Spillane is due in court on related charges.

Judge Leo Malone granted the application and remanded Mr Spillane on his own bond of €200 to appear at Cork District Court on January 23rd for service of the book of evidence.

Mr Spillane is already charged with two other offences, namely violent disorder and production of an article, namely a pick-axe handle, at the Manhattan Bar on the same occasion.

A co-accused, Finbarr Delaney (48) from Plunkett Rd, Ballyphehane is also charged with a single count of violent disorder at the same occasion at the Manhattan Bar.

Mr Delaney’s brother, Gerard Delaney, a 51-year-old father-of-two from Lakeslands Crescent, Mahon, was fatally injured during the fracas and died later at Cork University Hospital.

Last month, another man, Kief Varian (19) from Sycamore Place, Togher was charged with assault causing harm to Gerard Delaney at the Manhattan Bar on December 27th 2011.

Mr Varian was also charged with engaging in violent disorder with Gerard Delaney, Finbarr Delaney and Keith Spillane at the Manhattan Bar on the same occasion.

Mr Varian, who is also charged with producing an article, namely a timber bat at the Manhattan Bar on the same occasion, was remanded on bail to appear on January 21st