An old row between two cousins had been “festering” before it erupted at a christening party resulting in gardai being called to bring order, the Galway District Court heard last week.
John Ward (35 ) with an address at 15 Caislean Ri, Athenry, and Bernie Ward (22 ) with an address at 5 Cullairbaun, Athenry, appeared in custody before Judge Mary Fahy last week and pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and with threatening and abusive behaviour on Main Street, Oranmore, on December 14, 2009.
According to Garda evidence, gardai responded to a call to go to the Coach House Hotel where a number of people were fighting. The court heard that Bernie Ward was one of the main aggressors. Despite directions by gardai to stop he continued to fight with his relative John Ward. The two men had been drinking and the fight was connected to an old row which had been festering. They were arrested at midday for their own safety and the safety of others and brought to the Garda station where they were charged.
John Ward’s solicitor Ian Foley then made an application for legal aid. However, Inspector Ernie White objected to legal aid being granted because €950 had been found in the defendant’s pocket when he was arrested.
Judge Mary Fahy refused to grant legal aid because of the seriousness of the charges. She also commented that father of seven John Ward “wasn’t short of money for alcohol” at the time of the offence.
Mr Foley then explained that the christening party had been held for one of John Ward’s children.
“He sullied this happy occasion,” replied Judge Fahy.
Mr Foley said that his client apologised for his behaviour, that he had too much to drink, and that his memory of the incident was not the best.
Bernie Ward’s solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that “things had quietened down after the arrest”. He said that his client had been out celebrating the occasion when his farther became embroiled in row. The defendant then went to his father’s assistance.
Inspector White then explained that John Ward had two previous convictions for road traffic offences while Bernie Ward had a previous conviction for theft and one for possession of knives.
“They can both pay their own legal fees,” said Judge Fahy who then convicted and fined the defendants €500 each with three months to pay.
