A Cork City man, Conor Greaney (25), has been accused of charging and attacking a businesswoman in the city centre, resulting in a severe ankle injury which required hospital attention. Her identity was mistakenly identified by Mr. Greaney; this was shared with the police by him. The accused man presented himself to the local Bridewell Garda station, and his confession followed in the context of a bail plea during a special court appearance on Saturday.
The local businesswoman, Dublin-based Selina Regazzoli (35), was attacked on her way to work at roughly 9.40am outside the GPO in Cork. To clarify, she suffered a dislocated and fractured ankle after Mr. Greaney struck her on her face in an unmotivated assault and proceeded to push her, causing her fall. She was immediately rushed to the Cork University Hospital, where she was informed that she would have to have surgery.
In the hearing at the Cork District Court, Garda Orla Moriarty, from the Anglesea Street station, shared details of Mr. Greaney’s arrest and the ensuing charges. She also mentioned Mr. Greaney’s silence when told he could respond. Additional commentary was provided by Inspector David Noonan, who discussed the police’s resistance to granting bail to the accused. Moriarty pointed out that this resistance was largely due to the severity of the charge and strength of evidence against him.
Indeed, the Garda mentioned that the assault was painstakingly documented by local CCTV, which unmistakably showed Mr. Greaney as the assailant. It was reported that Mr. Greaney had identified Regazzoli as the wrong individual to assault, and he had also openly threatened to go after the actual target again. Moriarty highlighted the Garda’s fears that if he acquired bail, he could potentially commit more crimes and meddle with the witnesses’ testimonies.
In a cross-examination led by barrister Elaine Audley, replacing solicitor Frank Buttimer for Mr Greaney, it was acknowledged by Garda Moriarty that Ms Regazzoli resided in Dublin, not Cork. Yet, due to her extensive social media influence, boasting over 28,000 Instagram followers, there was apprehension regarding Mr Greaney potentially attempting to contact her through digital platforms.
Stepping up to the stand in support of his bail application, Mr Greaney admitted to past struggles with cocaine and benzodiazepine addiction, a battle he had won for three years until a recent relapse. He attributed this setback to the passing of his greatly beloved grandfather in the preceding November, an event that occurred just prior to Christmas – causing him great distress.
Mr Greaney confessed to mistakenly assaulting Ms Regazzoli, whom he had no prior connection with. His intended target was an alleged harasser. In remorse, he conveyed his guilt over the attack, denying any intent to cause severe harm or injury. He hopes to be placed in a residential rehabilitation centre to confront his relapsing addiction.
Addressing Judge Mary Dorgan, he expressed his initial motive was to merely alarm the woman. After hearing all sides, Judge Dorgan sided with the gardaí’s argument opposing bail for Mr Greaney. Consequently, he was ordered to remain in custody till his next appearance at Cork District Court on March 14th via video link. Judge Dorgan advised him that he could reapply for bail if he arranged a stable place of residence.
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