3 days ago
Cork man accused of violent disorder in supermarket failed to attend court due to ingrown toenail
An ingrown toenail was given as the explanation on Tuesday for the absence of a 21-year-old man from Cork District Court to face a charge of engaging with others in a violent disorder against a background of feuding families.
The case against 21-year-old Michael Faulkner, of 8 Curraheen Close, Bishopstown, Cork, was called at Cork District Court, but the defendant was not present.
His solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said: 'He is suffering from an ingrown toenail. It is reducing his speed in getting here.'
Judge Mary Dorgan said: 'An ingrown toenail does not excuse you not arriving at the door of Anglesea Street courthouse at 10.30am.'
Sergeant John Kelleher said directions were not yet available from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case, and applied for an adjournment of the case until October 14.
Judge Dorgan agreed to adjourn the case until then in the absence of the accused.
Some 15 minutes later, Mr Cuddigan brought to the attention of Judge Dorgan that Mr Faulkner did get to the courthouse and was present. He was informed of the adjournment.
Michael Faulkner is one of several defendants charged with engaging with others in a violent disorder at SuperValu, Hollyhill, on January 6.
Detective Garda Aidan Forrest previously gave evidence of the incident on the afternoon of January 6 at Hollyhill shopping centre, where 15 people — three from the O'Brien's and 12 from the Faulkner's — were allegedly involved.
One man allegedly got out of a Ford Tipper Truck with a baseball bat and ran towards the supermarket. A number of parties ran around the car park before following one man into SuperValu.
In an altercation between two of the men inside the store, they were seen running down one of the aisles, one of them swinging a pickaxe handle at the other, who hid behind the counter/till area, Det Garda Forrest said.
