Corkman jailed for his part in violent attack on Spanish student
Aaron Breen, 23, of Greenwood Estate, Togher, Cork, was jailed for three years for his part in the robbery and assault causing harm to the Spanish student on Bandon Road on Saturday March 25, 2023. Picture: Larry Cummins
Three Cork men and one Cork woman joined in a violent attack on a Spanish student walking home through the city as he was robbed of his phone.
Aaron Breen, 23, of Greenwood Estate, Togher, Cork, was jailed for three years for his part in the robbery and assault causing harm to the Spanish student on Bandon Road on Saturday March 25, 2023.
Judge Helen Boyle also activated six months of a previously suspended sentence and made that consecutive to the three years imposed on Mr Breen at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway said the 24-year-old Spanish student was walking home from a friend’s house shortly after 4am on Saturday morning, March 25.
“He was walking from Cork city centre to his home on Magazine Road. On Bandon Road he was approached by three males and a female. One man ran past him and turned to get into conversation with him.
“Aaron Breen came up behind him and punched him in the side of the head, causing him to fall. He was then kicked in the head by Aaron Breen. He lost his phone during the assault. Aaron Breen picked it up.
“Aaron Breen is seen on CCTV of the incident holding it out and gesturing,” Det Sgt Greenway said.
Mr Breen was then joined by a woman, who went through the injured party’s pockets. It is uncertain if anything was taken. The entire incident lasted two minutes and 17 seconds and took place near Lennox’s chipper on Bandon Road.
The young Spanish student was punched a total of seven times by Aaron Breen as well as being kicked in the head four times.
The victim contacted the ambulance service. His injuries included bruising to his neck and face, cut lips and black eye. He has made a full recovery and no longer lives in Cork.
Defence barrister Niamh Stewart said the accused had apologised and expressed remorse. She said the defendant was doing well in prison, where he is regarded as an enhanced prisoner.
Judge Helen Boyle imposed a jail term of four years with the last year suspended. The judge further considered an application to revoke the suspension on a 12-month term for an earlier crime. The judge revoked half of it and made it consecutive to the new sentence of three years.
An accomplice in this attack on the Spanish student, Richard Harrington, of no fixed address, signed a plea of guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to the young man on March 25.
Judge Boyle remanded him in custody for sentencing on February 9, 2024. His barrister Alison McCarthy said he wanted to wanted to take part in a residential treatment programme for addiction issues.
