A homeless man who repeatedly stamped on the head and body of Timmy Hourihane during a vicious assault which led to his death will be sentenced at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork this morning.
40 year old Christopher O'Sullivan who is originally from Co Kerry pleaded guilty in November last year to the unlawful killing of Timmy Hourihane at Mardyke Walk in the city on the 13th of October 2019
53 year old Timmy Hourihane died at Cork University Hospital after he was attacked at a "tented village" at Mardyke Walk.
A post mortem found that he had died of blood inhalation and cardiac arrest.
Today's sentencing hearing also heard that he had sustained a collapsed lung and severe head trauma during the unprovoked attack.
Christopher O'Sullivan was originally due to stand trial for the murder of the father of one but pleaded guilty to manslaughter after being told that the plea was acceptable to the State.
Detective Superintendent Michael Comyns told the hearing that Timmy Hourihane, Christopher O'Sullivan and his co-accused 28 year old James Brady of Shannon Lawn Mayfield were living at the tented village at the time. Brady was jailed for 11 years for the manslaughter of Timmy Hourihane in April of last year.
The court heard the atmosphere was strained among the people who were living at the tented village at the time of the attack.
Prosecution Senior Counsel Siobhan Lankford said the crime fell into the "highest category of manslaughter".
Senior Counsel for the defence Roisin Lacey said her client wanted to offer a sincere apology to the Hourihane family for his role in the death of their loved one.
Ms Lacey said O'Sullivan had indicated that he was under the influence of a variety of drugs and alcohol when he carried out the beating.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing in the case until 11am Friday.
