Man looking for party hit with hurley after approaching wrong house
A householder, fearing death threats, over-reacted when three men arrived at his home searching for an early-hours house party and he struck one of them in the head with a hurley and also assaulted a second man .
William Hutchinson, aged 37, was at home at 23 Glenfield Avenue, Ballyvolane, when three men with the wrong directions had called to his house looking for a house party.
Defence solicitor, Graham Hyde, said that while Hutchinson completely over-reacted to the men looking for a party he did have reason to feel under threat from others at that time.
A viable explosive device was previously found under his car and on another occasion such a device was posted in through his letterbox.
Hutchinson pleaded guilty at Cork District Court yesterday to a charge of assault causing harm to Martin Healy, aged 43, and to a charge of assaulting Luke Hurley, also 43.
Detective Sergeant Kieran O’Sullivan said that on February 15, 2015, the two injured parties and a third man were at a social event and got a taxi to Glenfields Avenue to go to a house where they had been told a party was taking place.
“Unfortunately, they went to the wrong address. That was the home of William Hutchinson.
“Mr Hutchinson came out and without saying anything he struck Mr Healy over the head with a hurley causing him to fall to the ground.
“His friend, Mr Hurley, went to his assistance and Mr Hutchinson attempted to strike him also,” Det. Sgt. O’Sullivan said.
The three men — the two injured parties and their friend — went away to the house where the party was taking place and gardaí were notified.
Later Mr Healy had to get four staples to his head wound.
Det. Sgt. O’Sullivan said gardaí got a warrant to search the home of Hutchinson subsequently and they found clothing worn by the accused that morning which was stained by the blood of the injured party.
A hurley was also found with blood stains of the injured party.
Hutchinson had a security camera at his front door and footage from that was examined. While it did show the various parties it did not capture the assaults.
Inspector John Deasy said the accused had several previous convictions, including one for assault causing harm in November 2000.
Mr Hyde submitted that contrary to the prosecution outline of what happened there had been an exchange of words.
“I should hope it would be accepted there was some verbals between them,” Mr Hyde said.
Outlining two previous attempts on Hutchinson’s life, Mr Hyde did not outline the background to this except to say he had liaised with the gardaí.
Mr Hyde said the accused was so concerned about his safety that he varied his daily routines.
Judge Olann Kelleher said: “It is a serious matter. Of course people are entitled to protect their property but this man — no questions asked — comes out with his hurley and attacks these people and one of them gets four stitches.”
The judge adjourned sentencing until Friday saying that he wanted to get updated medical information on Mr Healy’s head injury.
