‘Modern day Helen of Troy’ catalyst for bar brawl
The instigator of a mini-riot in a Crossmolina bar came down to a woman who Judge Mary Devins described as a “modern day Helen of Troy”, as her actions led to her boyfriend and his clan instigating a brawl after a slight was made towards the woman.
At a previous sitting of Ballina District Court the court heard that Clement Cuffe, Raymond Cuffe, Francis Cuffe, and John Doherty (all of Enaghbeg, Crossmolina ) pleaded guilty to charges brought against them, while David McNulty, 13 Chapel View, Crossmolina, James Munnelly, Rathbane, Crossmolina, and Brendan Hughes, Carrowkileen, Crossmolina, contested the assault and violent disorder charges.
On Saturday April 25 2009 at 1.45am a fight broke out in Sticks Bar, Crossmolina, after Martina Granahan thought she heard Munnelly and Hughes make derogatory comments towards her. Ms Granahan told her boyfriend Francis Cuffe and he along with Raymond Cuffe and Doherty approached Hughes and Munnelly. A fracas broke out and McNulty also became involved. A number of the men were assaulted, including one with a bar stool. The incident lasted a matter of minutes.
Judge Devins stated “the fuel which made a smouldering fire burst into flames” was Ms Granahan, and her actions of reporting the slight to one man “caused the unruly mini riot when the Cuffe clansmen instigated the brawl”.
Munnelly and McNulty were convicted and fined €100 each for disorderly conduct. Hughes and Doherty were both directed to contribute €100 each to the Special Olympics for the disorderly conduct charges. None of these four men was convicted for section two assault. Sentencing for Francis, Raymond, and Clement Cuffe is adjourned until October 26.
