“PEOPLE have to behave if they are getting public services and houses; there are rules. There’s a housing shortage and if they don’t behave there are other people who need those houses.”
This was the reaction of Judge James Faughnan when the details of a violent confrontation involving approximately 20 people in a Ballinasloe local authority estate were outlined to him at the local District Court.
The Judge stated that people were entitled to “peaceful possession” of their home and the local authority had the right to evict tenants who were causing difficulties for their neighbours.
He accepted this was not directly a matter for the Courts but warned that the behaviour outlined would not be accepted in his district. “There have to be consequences for this type of behaviour,” he said, adding that when an estate could be taken over by 20 individuals then it was time for the relevant parties to take notice and they had responsibilities towards their law-abiding tenants who should not have to put up with this type of behaviour
Judge Faughnan made his remarks when dealing with three individuals facing charges in relation to a public order incident in Ballinasloe on Sunday night, August 30.
“20 people out on the street on a Sunday night. Are any of these people working?” he asked.
Garda Sgt Christy Browne outlined the details to the Judge of when two factions confronted each other in the Meadowbrook area of the town. He added that further arrests were expected.
The Court heard that when Gardaí arrived at the scene they found two groups in confrontation. Threats were being made towards persons, cars and property.
Before the Court, facing charges in relation to the incident, were Eileen Casey, 2 Meadowbrook Park; Brian Martin, 2 Meadowbrook Lawns and Justin Martin, 2 Meadowbrook Lawns.
Both Martins had curfew conditions of 10pm to 7am imposed as part of their bail conditions. Eileen Casey’s curfew is from 12 midnight to 7am to facilitate her work at the local hospital.
All three are also required to sign in twice weekly at the Garda station, be of good behaviour, reside at the addresses given and to have no contact with any of the other parties involved in the dispute.
All three were remanded to appear before the December 3 sitting of Ballinasloe Court.
