A man wanted by Gardai for his alleged involvement in the Ward-Joyce feud which flared outside the courthouse last week and escalated to see two men assaulted at Creggan on the old Dublin road, was given a highly conditional bail, contrary to Garda opinion, in the District Court this week (December 1 ).
Gardai strenuously opposed any bail for the man who has denied two counts of assault causing harm in the inter-family fracas that closed the N6 on November 24 for a short while.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell explained to Judge John Lindsay how concerned local gardai were in relation to this feud between the Athlone and Moate-based famiies that had seen two shootings, an arson attack, numerous incidents of criminal damage and assaults resulting in at least eight people injured over the last number of years.
“We would have very serious concerns regarding this feud and its escalation,” said the inspector.
The man in court this week presented himself to Athlone Garda Station on the morning of the court and was subsequently charged before his appearance in the afternoon. He admitted there was a feud and that he was related to one of the factions but denied any involvement in the November 24 incident.
For the State, Garda John Divilly gave sub judice testimony which cannot be reported from a bail hearing.
“My client has no previous convictions of any kind and shouldn’t be lumped together with others that may be involved,” his solicitor told the court.
Judge Lindsay remanded the defendant to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday (December 3 ), on condition he provide his own bail of €3,000, half of which must be in cash; provide two independent sureties of €5,000 each; observe a 10pm-8am curfew, reside at a given address, have no contact - direct or indirect - with any witnesses in these proceedings; and have no contact with any members of the other family “whether they live in Athlone, Roscommon, or Co Antrim”. Judge Lindsay granted legal aid.
