Trespasser who threatened to 'box the face off' Cork homeowner sentenced

A householder who asked to see a copy of the insurance to cut down trees from a man who arrived at his door asking to go on to his property indicated that he did not wish to give a victim impact statement in respect to the threat made to “box the face off” him.

Sentencing in this particular matter had been adjourned until today for a victim impact statement. Sergeant John Dineen said the victim did not want to make such a statement.

42-year-old Jerry O’Sullivan of 7 Hazelwood Grove, Kinsale Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour and trespassing on the curtilage of the property.

Judge Mary Dorgan said the householder’s request to see the insurance to cover the planned work on his property was a most reasonable request.

The judge imposed a two-month sentence for the threatening behaviour and three months for the trespass.

Shane Collins-Daly solicitor said the accused had been in custody since August 9 – his first time ever in custody. 

Today’s sentences were backdated to that date. The terms will run concurrently with another sentence imposed on the same man last week on theft and public order charges.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that on June 24 2022 the accused asked for permission to go on to a man’s property to facilitate the cutting of trees at a neighbouring property on Coach Hill, Rochestown, Cork.

The householder asked if he had insurance and after a brief verbal exchange, Jerry O’Sullivan said he would box his face off him.

Judge Dorgan said that if the defendant appealed today’s sentence a condition of bail pending appeal would require him to stay out of the Rochestown area where the offences occurred.