A French student who had part of her ear bitten off in an assault while she was studying in Cork told a court yesterday she invented a story that her ear became infected after having it pierced rather than tell what happened to her when she went back to France.
Ms Aissaton Ba attended Cork Circuit Criminal Court where her assailant, Louise McDonnell (19), pleaded guilty to assaulting her last April at Amberley, Grange.
McDonnell, the mother of a four-year-old son, was a member of a "gang of thugs" who stoned the French students, the court heard. Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Ba said she was also bitten around the eye by McDonnell, who threw her to the ground.
She spent three days in hospital to ensure her eye did not get infected and she has to have plastic surgery for her ear. Mr Padraig Cullinane, for McDonnell, from Grangeway, Pinecroft, Douglas, said he had never seen anyone more remorseful.
McDonnell said she was pleased to be able to apologise in person to Ms Ba and added she was willing to pay compensation.
Judge A.G. Murphy said: "It is an added insult to our society that these thugs were throwing stones at visitors to our shores." The judge adjourned sentencing until February 2nd and remanded her in custody.