This article is from page 9 of the 2006-05-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
SEVEN members of the Travelling community have been charged in connection with a serious public order disturbance in Ennis last week.
Substantial damage was caused to Brandon’s Pub on O’Connell Street, while windows were broken on several other premises nearby, in the early hours of last Wednesday morning.
There were also attempts made to remove two tills from Brandon’s.
Garda reinforcements were called to Ennis from Shannon, Ennistymon and Corofin to deal with the disturbance, which arose at a Traveller engagement party at Brandon’s, at around 1am.
Seven people were arrested and brought before Ennistymon District Court later that day, all charged with engaging in threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour.
Six of the accused are from west Limerick and the other from Ennis.
Before the court were Alan O’Brien (20) and Luke O’Brien (22), both of Castleview Estate, Newcastlewest; John O’Brien (18) of Ash Crescent, Newcastlewest; Michael Qulligan (21) of Knockane Rd, Newcastlewest; William Kavanagh (18) of 12 Castleview, Newcastlewest; Bernie Mongan (18) of Clancy Park, Ennis; and a teenager from Newcastlewest who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Superintendent Eamon Dolan told Ennistymon District Court that investigations into the incident were continuing.
“I am not saying that any of the people before the court were connected to what I have outlined, but the Garda investigation into the disturbance is continuing and we hope to examine CCTV footage of what took place,” he said.
He added that gardaí were making efforts to interview individuals from another group, in relation to the disturbance.
Judge Joseph Mangan remanded all seven in custody with consent to bail.
As part of the bail conditions, he ordered that the six Limerick defendants stay out of Clare and that Bernie Mongan stay out of Ennis town centre and observe a night-time curfew.
All seven appeared before Ennis District Court again on Friday, where the case was adjourned until September.
Inspector Kevin Moynihan said a number of other matters needed to be investigated. “It will be a lengthy investigation,” he said.
Solicitors for the accused consented to this and legal aid was granted for all seven.
Mr Mongan’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett, asked that one of the bail conditions be amended, to allow him to go into Ennis Town Centre during the day.
This was granted.