Four people in court after Portlaoise cemetery brawl
Portlaoise Courthouse
FOUR people were brought before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court this morning, following a violent disturbance at a Cemetery Mass in Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon.
A large force of gardaí was on duty, both inside and outside the courthouse on Main Street, during the court hearing.
Two men and two juveniles appeared in court following their detention the previous day, when they were charged in connection with a mass brawl at SS Peter and Paul’s Cemetery.
The first defendant to appear before Judge Andrew Cody was Ger McInerney (38) from Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Garda Sergeant Kevin O’Sullivan said that, when arrested and charged with possession of a knife during an incident in a public place, under section 9.5 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, Mr McInerney made no reply when cautioned.
Sgt O’Sullivan said there was no objection to bail being granted. He said that it was a complex case and applied for it to be adjourned to 20 July, to allow time for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide directions in the case.
Mr McInerneny’s solicitor, Aengus McCarthy, applied for legal aid as his client is in receipt of a social welfare payment.
Sgt O’Sullivan said he would have some concern about legal aid being assigned because, following the defendant’s arrest, €2,915 in cash as well as three separate PTSB bank cards was found in his possession.
Mr McCarthy said the reason his client had the cash was because he had sold a car and was buying another one.
Judge Cody remanded Mr McInerney on continuing bail until 20 July and reserved his decision on legal aid, saying that he would like to see all bank statements for the past two months up to 1 June before deciding on the issue.
Sgt O’Sullivan gave details of the arrest and charging of the second defendant Daniel McInerney (31), with an address in the UK.
He is charged with the offence of affray in SS Peter and Paul’s Cemetery, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on 31 May.
Sgt O’Sullivan sought a cash lodgement of €3,000 before Mr McInerney’s release, because he had an address outside the state.
“He doesn’t have €3,000,” said solicitor Mr McCarthy, “but members of his family are in court to assist him.”
Judge Cody asked Sgt O’Sullivan to outline the alleged incidents that happened on Sunday.
The sergeant said: “At 1pm in SS Peter and Pauls’ Cemetery, there was a large gathering of the travelling community among about 3,000 people present. Daniel McInerney was at a graveside. Tensions were high. There was also a large garda presence.
“Mr McInerney was quite aggressive and instituted an altercation between other members of the travelling community. When he was arrested and being taken away, a large issue spread over the cemetery.”
Mr McCarthy said that his client had flown in from the UK on Saturday evening to “pay his respects” on Cemetery Sunday.
Judge Cody remanded Mr McInerney in custody with consent to conditional bail on his own bail of €600, a cash lodgement of €300 and an independent surety of €2,700.
Mr McCarthy asked that legal aid be assigned. However, Sgt O’Sullivan said he would have concerns on this issue as, when arrested, Mr McInerney had AIB, Bank of Ireland and Lloyds Bank visa cards in his possession.
Judge Cody said he was reserving his decision on granting legal aid until Mr McInerney submitted two previous months’ bank statements from each of the three banks.
Mr McInerney lodged the bail money shortly afterwards and was released to appear before the court on 20 July for DPP directions.
Sgt O’Sullivan also gave details on the arrest and charge of a 17-year-old boy, who has an Offaly address and cannot be named as he is a juvenile. He is charged with possessing a knife during an incident.
The sergeant said that, when the youth was arrested, he was taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station and made no reply to the charge.There was no state objection to bail being granted, with conditions.
Mr McCarthy said his teenage client was accompanied to court by his father. Judge Cody granted legal aid and remanded the youth on continuing bail until 20 July.
The last defendant to appear in court arising from the alleged incident in the cemetery was a 16-year-old, also from Offaly, who is charged with affray.
He was accompanied in court by his grandmother and was remanded on conditional bail until 20 July. Legal aid was granted.
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