This article is from page 40 of the 2006-07-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 40 JPG
IT WAS at the mercy of God that noone was seriously injured in an Ennis Traveller feud, according to a judge who handed suspended jail sentences to six of those involved.
Judge Carroll Moran made the comments at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday as he dealt with four separate offences in Ennis.
Before the court were Edward (Ned) and Christopher Mongan,from Clondalkin, Dublin; Bernard McDonagh (39), 1 Ashline, Ennis; Christopher McDonagh (31), Davitt Terrace, Ennis; Bernard McDonagh Junior (22), Considine’s Road, Ennis; and Peter McDonagh (19), Considine’s Road, Ennis.
Four of the six accused no longer live in Ennis and were ordered to remain out of the town.
Outlining details of one of the incidents involving the four McDonaghs, Sergeant Michael Haran said an incident occurred at Tipsy McStaggers pub, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, on Christmas Eve, 2004.
The row spilled out onto the street and up to 60 people were present, the majority of who were intoxicated.
“The McDonagh family, totalling 40, were highly charged. Ten members of another family did not get involved,” said Sgt Haran.
He said Christopher McDonagh jumped out of a car and brandished a hatchet.
A garda who tried to take it off him sustained an injury to the hand in the process.
Christopher McDonagh subsequently “violently resisted” arrest and broke from garda custody.
Gardai had to call for back-up and reinforcements arrived from Shannon.
The four McDonaghs pleaded guilty to affray, while Christopher admitted possession of an offensive weapon in the course of a fight, and with escaping from custody.
Arising out of separate incidents, Edward (Ned) and Christopher Mongan pleaded guilty to affray; Bernard, Christopher and Bernard McDonagh pleaded guilty to violent disorder; while Bernard McDonagh from Ashline, and Christopher McDonagh, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Judge Carroll Moran was told that the Mongans live in Dublin and that the geographical separation helped the situation.
“It was at the mercy of God that persons weren’t seriously injured, including members of An Garda Síochána, who went to defuse the situation.”
He said he was taking into account that peace has now been established between the two families and that the accused were “at a low risk of reoffending.”
He imposed sentences of three years, suspended for three years, and ordered each to keep the peace for that period.