Transient assaults another with 40-ounce beer bottle, police say

BANGOR, Maine — A transient used a beer bottle as a weapon early Tuesday when he struck another transient in the head with it, apparently jealous over his relationship with a 40-year-old woman who also is homeless, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Edwards said Wednesday.

Michael Ireland, 47, was charged with felony aggravated assault, and he has pending theft charges for stealing beer from Leadbetter’s on Hammond Street, the sergeant said.

Ireland and another man went to the victim’s campsite off Griffin Road sometime early Tuesday and Ireland apparently got upset when he saw the woman there.

Ireland “raised a 40-ounce beer bottle to the victim and struck him above the eye with it,” Edwards said. “The victim stated he chased the men off with a hatchet and a baseball bat and believes the attack was a jealousy issue between Ireland and the female companion.”

The victim, who is also 47, did not report the crime. He was seen by a Penobscot County deputy sheriff bleeding from the head and walking toward St. Joseph Hospital at around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. The deputy alerted Bangor police.

Officer Eric Tourtelotte met with the victim at hospital’s emergency room and police later went to the transient’s campsite, Edwards said.

“There was some evidence taken and some photos taken,” he said.

While Tourtelotte was speaking with the assault victim, employees at Leadbetter’s store on Hammond Street reported a shoplifter who on two separate occasions concealed a 40-ounce beer in his jacket and left the store without paying.

Officer Jason Stuart was able to determine the shoplifter was Ireland, Edwards said. Police searched for Ireland but were unsuccessful until a woman called at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday to report two men sleeping on her couch without permission, Edwards said.

The woman was not at home but suspected something was up and “had her daughter go over and check and she said there were two men sleeping on the couch,” the sergeant said.

The homeowner gave police permission to go into her house and tell the men to leave. One of the two was Ireland and he was arrested, Edwards said.

Ireland also was arrested on Jan. 9 after he was found sleeping in a building’s entryway. He was arrested by Brewer police on Jan. 13 for violating his bail conditions that bar him from drinking after he was found with alcohol on his breath during a noise complaint at a Wilson Street motel, Edwards said.

In July 2009 Ireland was convicted of assault and sentenced to 14 days in jail and a $300 fine, according to Bangor Daily News archives.

Ireland was taken to the Penobscot County Jail after his arrest Tuesday and remained there Wednesday morning, the sergeant said. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 if convicted of the felony aggravated assault.