Part of ear bitten off during brawl in Limerick pub after man’s pants pulled down

THE FATHER of Marguerita O’Rourke (née Sheridan) – who died after her uncle drove his van into steel gates she was standing behind – bit off a part of a man’s ear during a brawl in Rathkeale, a court has heard.

The melee in Manns Hotel on St Patrick’s Day was sparked by John Sheridan playing a prank by pulling down the pants of a co-accused James O’Connor, who was standing at the bar. The two men sat beside each other in the dock of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Sheridan, aged 48, of Roche’s Road, Rathkeale and Mr O’Connor, aged 46, of Boherbuoi, Rathkeale both pleaded guilty to violent disorder on March 17, 2022. The two men were also charged with production of an article, namely a pint glass, during the course of a dispute. These charges were taken into account on a “full facts basis”.

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Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Sergeant Rob Sheehy. Ms Buckley said the incident was captured on good quality CCTV and asked Sgt Sheehy to play the footage and narrate it for Judge Fiona O’Sullivan.

Sgt Sheehy pointed out Mr O’Connor at the bar and Mr Sheridan “pulling Mr O’Connor’s pants down as a prank”.

“Mr O’Connor is gesturing at Mr Sheridan and a verbal altercation between them ensues. Other men get involved to separate them. There is grappling and grabbing and a number of men engage in a brawl,” said Sgt Sheehy.

The sergeant said the CCTV shows Mr Sheridan’s head in the shoulder area of another gentleman (not James O’Connor) in a biting incident, which resulted in the loss of part of the man’s ear.

The court heard that Mr Sheridan smashed a pint glass against a pool table and threw a pint glass. Mr O’Connor threw a glass into a crowd of people. Nobody was struck by the pint glasses thrown during the brawl at around 8pm on St Patrick’s Day.

Sgt Sheehy said a number of others involved in the violent incident in Rathkeale have been before the courts.

Mr Sheridan exercised his right to silence when he was interviewed by gardai. Ms Buckley said Mr O’Connor also availed of his right to silence apart from telling gardai, “He pulled down my pants – that’s why it all started. We didn’t start it – we were drunk”.

Ms Buckley said Mr Sheridan has no previous convictions. Mr O’Connor had a theft matter in Spain over 20 years ago.

Mr Sheridan was represented by Kenneth Kerins BL, instructed by solicitor Michael O’Donnell. Mr Kerins said the CCTV footage speaks for itself, saying that his client played a prank without intending for a second what would ensue.

“There was quite a bit of alcohol consumed. There was no pre-meditation, no bad blood, no feud. It was a very poor decision. Mr Sheridan thought he was being funny – he wasn’t. He accepts that what happened is effectively his fault,” said Mr Kerins.

The barrister said the tragic death of Mr Sheridan’s daughter Marguerita O’Rourke (née Sheridan) in December 2024 has had a significant impact on the family.

Mr Kerins said Mr Sheridan was “very against” and had “deep concerns” over the relationship between Ms O’Rourke (née Sheridan) and the man who would become her husband. The barrister said that “unfortunately this was borne out in tragedy”.

Ms Buckley said it was a dangerous driving incident that claimed the life of Ms O’Rourke (née Sheridan).

“It had nothing to do with her husband. Her death is no way attributable to her husband or the relationship,” said Ms Buckley.

Aaron Desmond BL, who represented Mr O’Connor, said provocation led to his reaction and while he threw a glass object, nobody was injured. The barrister said there has been no animosity between the parties since the incident.

Mr Kerins, in mitigation for Mr Sheridan, said his client’s intention in playing the prank was jocular fun after consuming alcohol.

“If he hadn’t done it none of us would be here,” said Mr Kerins, who added that due to “the fragility of the male ego” there was a response.

Mr Kerins said Mr Sheridan is a 48-year-old married father-of-four, who suffered the tragic loss of a daughter, which has had a devastating impact on the family.

The barrister said Mr Sheridan is involved in horses.

“It is very niche, very small horses for those with sensory and additional needs. He plans to leave Rathkeale for Scotland not because of any difficulties but to help with the grieving process,” said Mr Kerins, who added that Mr Sheridan has stopped drinking.

Mr Desmond said, on behalf of Mr O’Connor, that his client is a hard-working 46-year-old married father-of-four.

“He is very remorseful and wants to put the whole episode behind him. They are exceptional circumstances which led to the offending behaviour. He did not see it coming. 

“It was a humiliating event in a crowded pub. He admits his wrongdoing. He is unlikely to appear before a court again,” said Mr Desmond, who asked Judge O’Sullivan to “distinguish a bad act from a bad life”.

Judge O’Sullivan said it was a stupid prank by Mr Sheridan which escalated matters and Mr O’Connor appears to have overreacted to it.

The judge imposed a 15-month prison sentence on Mr O’Connor for violent disorder which she suspended in full. Mr Sheridan received a 24-month jail sentence for violent disorder which was suspended in full.