Weapons allegedly used as four in court after Laois Cemetery Mass brawl
Court hears one of the accused travelled from UK while another had nearly €3,000 in cash
Two men and two juveniles have appeared before Portlaoise District Court charged in connection with a violent fracas at the town’s annual Cemetery Sunday Mass.
All four appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Monday, June 1, following the incidents at SS Peter & Paul’s Cemetery on Sunday, May 31, which 3,000 people attended.
Armed gardaí were among a substantial garda presence at the court for the hearing, which was also attended by Portlaoise Garda Superintendent Brian Farrell.
Some of the details of what allegedly occurred emerged when Daniel McInerney, who had an address in the UK, appeared before the court.
Garda Sergeant Kevin O’Sullivan told the court that the accused, aged 31, was arrested at 1 pm at the cemetery in Belad, Portlaoise, under Section 15 of the Public Order Act 1994. He was charged at 6 pm that day.
Sgt O’Sullivan gave an outline of the circumstances of the incident and the accused’s alleged role at the cemetery after Judge Andrew Cody asked if there was a bail application.
The judge was told that bail of €3,000 in cash is required when an individual is a UK resident.
Defending solicitor Aengus McCarthy asked if this could be lowered as his client did not have the amount but is asking family to provide assistance as they are of limited means.
The judge took this as meaning the amount was not agreed and so asked Sgt O’Sullivan for the facts to allow him to decide on what bail to set.
The Garda told the court that the accused flew over for the Cemetery Mass. He said there was a large gathering of members of the public and the Travelling community at the Mass. He estimated that 3,000 attended.
The court heard that the accused was at a graveside with a large number of other members of the Traveller community. He said “tensions were high” and there was a large Garda presence.
The sergeant alleged that McInerney was “quite aggressive” and “instigated a physical altercation” involving Travellers. He said some have yet to be identified.
The court heard that the accused was forcibly removed by gardaí to “quell the situation”, but matters then spilt over into the cemetery.
The garda also claimed that before the altercation, it was overheard that the accused was “brought over for a reason”. The garda told the court that his opinion was that McInerney was there “for the purpose of instigating violence”.
Mr McCarthy asked the judge to take into account that people “often lie” about living in the UK, but his client “was frank”. He also said the accused came to Portlaoise to pay his respects with his family. MORE BELOW PHOTO:
Conditions of bail included having no contact with the co-accused in the case and staying out of Portlaoise.
The judge decided to grant bail on his own bond of €600, lodging €300 with an independent surety of €2,700 in cash. He was released when bail conditions were granted after the cash was lodged during the hearing.
Sgt O’Sullivan told the court that the accused had three Visa debit cards when arrested. Two from Irish banks and one from a UK bank.
On foot of this evidence, Judge Cody reserved his decision on the granting of Legal Aid pending the receipt of statements in respect of the three bank accounts from the accused for a period of two months before June 1.
McInerney is due to appear again on July 20.
Gerard McInerney, aged 38, with an address at Kilcruttin halting site, Tullamore, Co Offaly, was the first to appear before Judge Andrew Cody.
Sgt O’Sullivan told the court that at 6.07 pm on May 31 he charged and cautioned McInerney with offences. The accused made no reply.
He was charged under Section 9 (5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, which makes it an offence to possess any article in a public place with the intent to unlawfully cause injury, incapacitate, or intimidate someone.
Sgt O’Sullivan applied to the court for the accused to be remanded on continuing bail to await directions for the DPP. The garda told Judge Cody that the investigation is complex and asked for the matter to be adjourned to July 20. The judge acceded to this request.
Defending solicitor Aengus McCarthy requested that legal aid be granted. However, Sgt O’Sullivan said gardaí had concerns about the defendant's means.
He said that McInerney was found to have €2,915 in cash and three cards in his possession when arrested.
Judge Cody asked the defence if there was an explanation. In reply, Mr McCarthy said his client had sold a car with the intention of buying another. He added that his client lives in a caravan and is on social welfare. He added that he is aware of the implications of making a false declaration of means.
READ NEXT: Mayhem at Cemetery Mass WATCH
Judge Cody reserved a decision on legal aid pending the receipt of statements in respect of the three bank accounts from the accused for a period of two months before June 1.
The court was also told that McInerney intends to reside at Kilcruttin halting site. He was remanded on bail subject to conditions to July 20.
Garda Mark Shine of Portlaoise Garda station gave evidence in relation to the first of the juveniles, who is aged 17.
The court was told that the youth was arrested at 1.05 pm at SS Peter & Paul’s Cemetery under Section 15 of the Public Order Act. The accused was taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station, where he was charged at 5.40 pm with affray. He made no reply on caution.
There was no condition but Garda Shine asked that an additional condition be granted, which was that the teenager remain indoors under curfew from 10 pm and 6 am.
His defence solicitor, Aengus McCarthy, said his client had never been before the courts and requested that the condition be relaxed in due course if his client shows compliance.
Judge Cody remanded the juvenile on bail to July 20 for an appearance at Portlaoise District Court for DPP direction. Legal Aid was granted without objection.
Sgt O’Sullivan gave evidence to the second youth before the courts. Aged 17, the court heard he was charged at 6.21 pm on May 31. The charges relate to affray at the cemetery.
On the suggestion of the accused’s counsel due to the substantial Garda presence, Judge Cody remanded him on bail to appear on July 23 this year. Legal aid was granted.