Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 21233Manslaughter · Co. Cork · 4 Nov 2021

Cork man jailed for manslaughter over fatal assault on Lower Glanmire Road

On 4 November 2021, shortly after 9 pm on Lower Glanmire Road in Cork, David Sweeney, a 30-year-old man of no fixed abode, was involved in an altercation with Mark Foley, a 45-year-old man, after a dispute over a cigarette. Mr Foley died at Cork University Hospital on 5 December 2021 from injuries sustained in the assault. Sweeney was first charged with assault causing harm, later charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Foley, and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. On 5 May 2023 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Catherine Staines jailed him, though sources differ on whether the term was three years or four years with the last year suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • David Sweeney pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mark Foley, a 45-year-old man.
  • Sweeney is said to have punched Mr Foley in the head, causing him to fall onto the footpath.
  • Sweeney is said to have punched and kicked Mr Foley's body several times, and to have punched him in the face as he tried to steady himself.
Where
The altercation took place on Lower Glanmire Road in Cork.
When
  • The altercation took place shortly after 9 pm on 4 November 2021.
  • Mr Foley died at Cork University Hospital on 5 December 2021 from injuries sustained in the assault.
Cause
Sweeney asked Mr Foley for a cigarette, and words were exchanged between them.
Weapon
A knife was reportedly produced by Mr Foley during the incident, and a scuffle followed.
Investigation
  • CCTV showed Mr Foley was disorientated when he stood up.
  • Sweeney was interviewed the day after the assault and made full admissions to gardaí.
Charges
Sweeney was first charged with assault causing harm and later charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Foley.
In court
The court heard that Sweeney entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity.
Sentence
Sources differ on the sentence: one says Sweeney was jailed for three years, while another says he was jailed for four years with the last year suspended.
Other details
  • Sweeney is said to have gone into a local shop and asked the cashier to call an ambulance.
  • Sweeney has 51 previous convictions.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA homeless man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a 45-year-old man. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatSweeney punched Mr Foley in the head, causing him to fall on the footpath. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatSweeney gave Mr Foley a number of punches and kicks to his body. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whatSweeney punched Mr Foley in the face as he tried to steady himself, and Mr Foley fell and took the full force of the fall to the footpath. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whereThe altercation happened on Lower Glanmire Road in Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenThe altercation happened shortly after 9 pm on 4 November 2021. (corkbeo.ie)
  • whenMr Foley died at Cork University Hospital on 5 December 2021 from injuries sustained in the assault. (corkbeo.ie)
  • causeSweeney asked Mr Foley for a cigarette and words were exchanged between them. (corkbeo.ie)
  • causeA knife had been produced by the victim during the incident, and a scuffle ensued. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationCCTV showed that Mr Foley was disorientated when he stood up. (corkbeo.ie)
  • investigationSweeney was interviewed the day after the assault and made full admissions to gardaí. (corkbeo.ie)
  • chargeSweeney was first charged with assault causing harm and later charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Foley. (corkbeo.ie)
  • courtThe court heard that Sweeney had entered a guilty plea at the first opportunity. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceSweeney was jailed for three years. (corkbeo.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge jailed Sweeney for four years, suspending the last year of the sentence. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherSweeney went into a local shop and asked the cashier to call an ambulance. (corkbeo.ie)
  • otherSweeney has 51 previous convictions. (corkbeo.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2023
    Sentencedcorkbeo.ie, first report
    Cork man jailed for manslaughter after 'stupid argument' over cigarette

    Sentencing report. The article gives a three-year jail term in its introduction, but later says the judge imposed four years with the last year suspended.

    convicted, David Sweeney, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Sweeneyvictim, Mark Foley, 45, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Foley