A Corkman who was accused of assaulting another dog walker while walking his husky could have his case struck out. The incident, which occurred last year, left the other dog walker with injuries and led to charges of assault being brought against the husky owner. However, it has now emerged that the case may be struck out due to a number of issues that have arisen during the investigation. In this article, we will explore the background to this case, the reasons why it may be struck out, and the potential implications for dog owners and walkers in Cork.
Martin O’Leary, a 52-year-old man from Cork, will be required to do three hours of voluntary work weekly for 20 weeks and make a €750 contribution to the court poor box in order to have a case against him struck out. The case arose from an incident where O’Leary allegedly assaulted Stephen Casey, who was walking his two Bernese Mountain dogs while O’Leary was walking his husky dog on June 22, 2021.
During a contested case earlier this year, O’Leary denied the charge of assault causing harm to Casey, who testified that O’Leary hit him in the head and struck him across the back with a stick. However, O’Leary’s defense solicitor, Michael Quinlan, claimed that Casey’s two Rottweilers charged in on top of O’Leary’s husky, and he had to defend his dog with a stick. O’Leary also testified that he thought his dog was dead on the ground and that he had to defend him.
Judge Marian O’Leary concluded that the state had reached the threshold to prove a Section 3 assault charge. This section of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act relates to a charge of assault causing harm. Inspector Pat Murphy said that Casey wanted to prepare a victim impact statement, and the judge adjourned the imposition of penalty until later.
The judge’s decision to require O’Leary to do voluntary work and make a contribution to the court poor box in order to have the case struck out has been met with various reactions. Some people believe that the sentence is light and does not fit the crime, especially since Casey suffered harm as a result of the assault. Others point out that O’Leary is not a repeat offender, and that the sentence will help him avoid a conviction that could affect his future employment prospects.
Regardless of the varying opinions on the case, it highlights the importance of responsible dog ownership and avoiding situations where dogs may become agitated and potentially cause harm to other people or pets. It also emphasizes the need for people to avoid taking matters into their own hands and resorting to violence in order to solve disputes.
Moving forward, it is important for individuals to prioritize peaceful and respectful conflict resolution strategies when tensions arise, and to seek the help of trained professionals when necessary. Only by promoting a culture of peace and mutual respect will we be able to prevent incidents of assault and ensure a safe and harmonious society for all.
