A Dublin man is fighting for his life in a New York hospital after he was assaulted during a night out with his wife on Katonah Avenue in the Bronx on Sunday, July 18.
Barry McCormack, 35, was on a double date with his American wife Cheryl, another couple and a friend when the night came to an abrupt end after McCormack was assaulted.
The NYPD told the Irish Voice on Monday that McCormack, who lives in Wappingers Falls, New York, with his wife and two children, both under the age of three, received one punch to the face knocking him to the ground unconscious.
After a dinner with his wife and friends in Yonkers, the group decided to make their way down to some of the bars on Katonah Avenue in the Bronx. It was close to 2 a.m. early Sunday morning when McCormack and company entered a bar at 4358 Katonah Avenue.
Just before going inside they noticed a man that police identified as Cornelius O’Shea, standing outside the bar with his shirt off and jumping up and down. This made them uneasy and they opted to leave the bar again immediately and go further down Katonah Avenue.
According to McCormack’s first cousin, Mark McCormack, Cheryl and the other woman in the group, who is six months pregnant, needed to use the bathroom so the men waited for them inside the bar.
When the group was ready to leave O’Shea, according to Mark, told them to “get the f*** out of the bar.”
McCormack, a supervisor with Irish company ECI Contracting, asked O’Shea what his problem was and he began verbally abusing them.
“Barry knew at this stage to leave so they all walked away heading down Katonah Avenue,” Mark told the Irish Voice on Monday.
Moments later O’Shea took a run at the group and landed one hard punch to McCormack’s face knocking him to the ground and subsequently causing severe damage to his brain.
The police were immediately called and O’Shea was arrested for assault.
McCormack was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where he was immediately put into a medically induced coma.
“Barry suffered a fractured temple, a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and an enlarged brain,” said Mark.
Last week McCormack underwent a brain operation to relieve the pressure. He also had a tracheotomy to assist in his breathing.
McCormack had been living in the Riverdale section of the Bronx until moving with his wife and children to Wappingers Falls, upstate New York a little over a year ago.
This was his first time back in the Irish enclave of Woodlawn since moving upstate. His wife had told friends earlier that day she was looking forward to their night out together with their friends.
On Monday night, July 26, McCormack was being weaned out of his medically induced coma. Doctors are waiting for the effects to fully wear off in order to determine the extent of damage.
McCormack’s father and sister flew out from Ireland last week to be at his bedside. This is a second tragedy to hit the McCormack family.
“Barry’s mother received brain damage after falling down the stairs and hitting her head off a phone table a number of years ago and spent 10 years like that until she died,” said Mark.
O’Shea went before a judge on Sunday, July 18 and was charged with assault three, a misdemeanor charge. He was released on $1,000 bail.
“This really annoys me,” said a disgruntled Mark, who is godfather to McCormack’s eldest son.
“He could have very well killed Barry and he gets a misdemeanor charge. It’s not on.”
Mark feels his cousin was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and O’Shea could have assaulted anyone that night.
“You just never know,” he said.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.karenj11788 | Mar 20, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT
Anyone with information about the incident including eyewitness accounts, witnesses of the scene prior to the assault or information about the defendant, Cornelius O'Shea, please contact Mr. McCormack's attorney, Karen Johnston, Esq. at (516)330-3412 or email at kejohnstonesq@aol.com. All calls will be confidential.
brownejt | Aug 22, 2010, 03:03 PM EDT
In Dayton, OH we have concealed carry for this very reason...to be able to live safely in a failing society containing numerous people without any self control or regard for others.
weeman221 | Aug 16, 2010, 03:02 PM EDT
I would like to know if his parents are John AKA Jack & Laura O'Shea!!!
weeman221 | Aug 16, 2010, 02:59 PM EDT
It's such a sad tragedy! My prayers are with the McCormick family & friends.
ciarrai | Aug 15, 2010, 12:44 PM EDT
If the O'Shea's are so charitable, I hope they will make the McCormick family the object of their great generosity. The McCormick's ought to be the only thing the charitable O'Shea's are focused on. Period.
ciarrai | Aug 15, 2010, 12:40 PM EDT
It's not funny to suggest that great support be give to the O'Shea fellow. Nor is it necessary for anyone critical of O'Shea's assault to consider their own sins. What kind of madness is about that would give equal sympathy to this victim and his attacker? It is a new low and I thought nothing would surprise me, but this has.
heathermich | Aug 11, 2010, 11:27 AM EDT
CampKerry- Are you seriouse? Your comment makes me sick. You want to organize a benefit for O'sheas parents? For what? So they can bail him out the next time he decides to assault someone. What about Barry a man that went to work every day so he could provide for his family and now is laying in a hospital bed, what about his wife that I am sure prays everyday thay her husband will remember her and their two sons, what about the children that are at home without their father and are to young to understand why. What about them CampKerry?
unbrekable49 | Aug 11, 2010, 10:31 AM EDT
i dont think it's fair for a good man that takes great care of his kids and a great co worker to deal with something like that. That man should be put under the jails and never be allow to see daylight. For him to sneak attack barry from the side and throw a punch is a bitch move, i know for a fact if he (barry) was aware of the punch coming he would of destroy that guy. Sad but barry is very strong, so he will get better by the grace of God.
GalsforBaly | Aug 06, 2010, 02:13 PM EDT
McGuinness - agreed. Waiting to see if i was the only one who thought it was outrageous. Beyond disgraceful to use this message board to honor the osheas as saints, when they have been allowing this behavior to continue since before these kids were of drinking age. They should focus charity work on their children, not the rest of the community. And they should write a very big check to these small precious children. Summer time and they are sitting by their fathers bed.
mcguinness | Aug 05, 2010, 09:59 PM EDT
CampKerry rally are dilusional. The O'Shea s are the real victims? Do we forget a families life has been forever changed by one persons reckless act. This is not Neil O'Sheas first run in with the authorities. He assaulted someone else earlier this year out on long island, has. Previous dwis including a felony dwi and yet keeps getting bailed out by guess who. Was hiding outdone almost 2 years on another case that I wont mention. Guys like him we can do without. How would you. Feel if it was your brother or sister or father was his next victim. It can't be held against his parents but obviously this Guy just keeps getting away with and keeps getting bailed out. If it happened once and he learned his lesson then fine but this Guy please!!
CampKerry | Aug 04, 2010, 11:20 PM EDT
I unanimously agree with the posts from mommyoffour, kathmcg and blaggarder. We should organize a benefit for Neil O'Shea's parents. They are the real victims here and did not deserve any disrespectful remarks from sheilagirl123. What charitable deeds have you done sheilagirl that gives you the right to comment on the O'Sheas? Your silence just answered my question.
mommyoffour | Aug 04, 2010, 10:23 PM EDT
I agree kathmcg, kind words are the music of the world and those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. First off I wish Mr.McCormick a complete and speedy recovery and may god bless him and his family. My prayers also go out to the O'Shea family who are and always will be pillars of the community, they have touched the lives of many with their kindness and generosity and have hearts of gold. I have never known more compassionate and beautiful people as Mr. and Mrs.O'Shea. I know their prayers are with the McCormick family. Tess D.
kathmcg | Aug 04, 2010, 05:59 PM EDT
Kind words are the music of the world...for those of you who felt justified in crucifying, not only the accused but his family as well, I suggest you take stock of your own lives. What a perfect and rightous life you must live! Imagine, to be so sure of anothers guilt that you are willing to condemn a fellow human being and go so far as to call him an animal...what has this world come too? It is very sad when another human being has suffered...I do not condone that, but to condemn a whole family!? As my very wise mother would say, and does say, "say your prayers, count your blessings and ask God to forgive you for any hurts you may have caused another this day...did anyone think how hard this may be for Neil O'Shea's family? My prayers this day are for everyone and I truly wish a speedy recovery to Mr. McCormack and I pray for a lifetime of blessings for him and for his beautiful family as well.
blaggarder | Aug 03, 2010, 09:54 AM EDT
I Have known Mr. O'sheas parents for several years. They are outstanding members of the community and devoted countless hours to serving the community. I agree with mother of 4. I pray for Mr. Mcormack and his family for a full recovery. Before we pass judgement remember there are two sides to every story. I could only hope to one day be as charitable as Mr. and Mrs. O'shea.
mommyoffour | Aug 03, 2010, 12:03 AM EDT
First my prayers go out to the victim and his family. I take offense with shielagirl23. The defendant happens to be a grown man. Why would you blame the parents? Blame the person, alchol or perhaps the bar that served him while he was intoxicated. His parents happen to be 2 of the best people I know! He who lives in glass houses......
sdmcguirk | Aug 01, 2010, 02:31 AM EDT
thoughts and prayers for you Barry and your family...
RobbCobb | Aug 01, 2010, 02:17 AM EDT
Hope he recovers soon. Throw O'Shea in jail and throw away the key - another sociopath that needs to be taken out of society.
catarerina | Jul 30, 2010, 05:26 PM EDT
Very sad indeed. The punishment in no way fits the crime. Hopefully the family will try and get the DA to up the charges based on the medical findings. I have seen several cases recently where someone has been hit and suffered a bad fall and then coma. The laws should be changed. I bet if an officer of the law was hit, there would be a ton of charges originating from that one lick. I hope and pray this poor man and his family have a swift recovery from this nightmare.
Reilleyfam | Jul 30, 2010, 02:46 PM EDT
Good luck on the recovery and God Bless.
archer50d | Jul 30, 2010, 12:17 AM EDT
Cornelius O’Shea should be locked up , not out on bail , felony attempted murder , wheres the DA ? , Its simple Cornelius O’Shea attacked another person and now that person is in a coma . Its actually people like Cornelius O’Shea that give the Irish a bad rap in NYC . Hopefully common sence prevails and Cornelius O’Shea is brought up on charges , andd found guilty of them and is sent to RIKERS , I wonder if he would jump up and down with his shirt off in there . PLEASE let justice be done . and I will be making a contribution to the benefit for Barry .
markmcc | Jul 29, 2010, 06:06 PM EDT
First of all i would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Barry. A quick upate: The doctors took Barry out of the coma on Tuesday. I was asking him some family questions to see who or what he remembers. He remembers me as we grew up together back home and still thinks we live in Ireland. The doctors have told us that this is to be expected and hopefully his short term memory will return in time. The big news today is that he has been taken of the ventilator and is breathing on his own fir the first time since the assault!! This is a big step in Barry's physical recovery. I have set up a trust for Barry and his family. Please e-mail me at markmccormack@optonline.net for bank details for those people that have requested. We will be having a benefit on Sunday September 12th at Kelly Ryans in the Riverdale section of the Bronx from 4-8ish(if it goes longer, all the better). I will be doing flyers over the weekend and will get them out next week. Again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and we continue to take one day at a time. I will post updates whenever i can. Thank you, Mark McCormack
sheilagirl123 | Jul 29, 2010, 02:09 PM EDT
I can confirm that Neil O'Shea is the animal this article makes him out to be. The two sons, both trouble with a capital T. I blame the parents, this has been going on for years. O'shea had just returned from ireland hiding out from a previous incident - only back a few days and now this.
sully1167 | Jul 29, 2010, 03:05 AM EDT
Some people should just not drink,they should say no to alcohol. I pray for Mr. McCormack to recover.
krisdaly | Jul 29, 2010, 12:29 AM EDT
A man's fist IS A LETHAL WEAPON! The judge should be thrown off the bench for a slap on the wrist to O'Shea the ANIMAL!!!!!!!!!!!
krisdaly | Jul 29, 2010, 12:24 AM EDT
This is outrageous! O'Shea should have been charged with "assault with intent to do great bodily hard" A FELONY!! The criminal should be held without bail and charged with attempted manslaughter. Once again the VICTIM PAYS THE PRICE!!!!!!!!! Look at the victim's wife and poor family...how can justice be served in this case????
Irishphotograph | Jul 28, 2010, 07:24 PM EDT
The man does not deserve to have the Irish name O Shea...Pray to Jesus Christ that Barry will come through this without any long term effects to his life.
GoldenClays | Jul 28, 2010, 06:37 PM EDT
This guy O'shea is surely nothing but an Animal. Hope he goes to prison for a very long time. I'll pray for the family of the poor man who got hit
AmAncINED | Jul 28, 2010, 06:17 PM EDT
How tragic! My prayers go out to the entire family for Barry's complete recovery.
antoman | Jul 28, 2010, 03:06 PM EDT
Sad to hear.Sometimes its the not the punch but how your head strikes the curb or the road.
Searlit | Jul 28, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT
This is so sad, I pray Barry McCormack makes a full recovery. At the risk of repeating myself, many judges refuse to treat violent crimes, seriously. This problem seems to be getting worse and worse. I think he should have been charged with attempted murder, too. It's a shame that the family will probably have to put themselves through the ordeal of a lawsuit, in order to get compensation. It's not justice!
michsars | Jul 28, 2010, 11:09 AM EDT
Saying a prayer for Barry and his family. Like boydshield said below-if there is any place for donations, please post the info. Thank you.
boydshield | Jul 28, 2010, 11:04 AM EDT
What are the courts in NYC thinking? Is there a place for donations for Barry and his family? Surely this was attempted murder. Who is this man O'Shea?
cabbagehead44 | Jul 28, 2010, 10:54 AM EDT
What a sad commentary on the time! You're not safe on the streets anymore! This shouldn't be a misdemeanor charge. O'Shea should be charged with an attempted murder charge. I hope the family can sue to recover medical costs at least.
dejemahan | Jul 28, 2010, 10:48 AM EDT
This is very sad story and I pray that Barry McCormack will recover and his little family will be okay after this terrible trauma. God forgive this O'Shea man..and may justice be served to the McCormacks.
mrhickey | Jul 28, 2010, 10:25 AM EDT
I think O'Shea should have been charged with attempted murder. I wish the McCormack family God's blessings and a speedy recovery for Barry.