This article is from page 1 of the 2006-08-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
A KILRUSH man accused of seriously assaulting a 60-year-old has been refused bail, after a judge ruled that intimidation of a ‘serious, sinister and massive’ nature had taken place.
Judge Joseph Mangan told Ennis District Court yesterday that he was left “without a scintilla of a doubt” that various witnesses have been subjected to intimidation.
He made the ruling after gardaí said they would not tolerate rule by one particular family in Kilrush.
He was speaking during the case of Martin O’Brien (25), of St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, who was making his third court appearance, in connection with an alleged assault on Paddy Kelleher, causing him harm, at Crawford Street, Kilrush, in the early hours of July 18.
The accused was charged last Wednesday and was granted bail at Kilrush District Court, subject to conditions, including that he have no contact with the alleged injured party.
The State re-entered the case at Ennis Court on Friday, after two rocks were thrown at Mr Kelleher’s home, one of which smashed through a window, at 1.10am on Thursday morning.
Inspector Tom Kennedy applied to revoke the accused’s bail, “on the basis that Martin O’Brien is directing or controlling the incident (the throwing of the rocks), with the intention of intimidating Mr Kelleher to withdraw his statement.
“What is going on here is sinister and is perverting the course of justice,” he said, adding that Mr Kelleher was being “bullied” into pulling out of the case.
“Mr O’Brien and his family will not have an O’Brien rule in Kilrush and prevent the State from processing cases against them,” said the inspector.
Mr Kelleher, of Crawford Street, Kilrush, told the court, “I think the wrong man is in court. . .He is a way heavier bloke, the bloke that slashed me. I want the case dropped. I am just nervous about it. That’s it. I don’t want no hassle.”