Four people in court after Portlaoise Cemetery brawl
Portlaoise Courthouse
TWO men and two juveniles were brought before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Monday morning following their detention after a violent disturbance at a cemetery in Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon.
A large force of gardaí were on duty during the court hearing, both inside and outside the courthouse.
The first defendant to appear was Ger McInerney (38), Kilcruttin Halting Site, Tullamore.
Garda Sgt Kevin O’Sullivan told Judge Andrew Cody that when arrested and charged under to the possession of a knife during an incident in a public place, he made no reply when cautioned.
Sgt O’Sullivan said there was no objection to bail being granted.
He said that it was a complex case and applied for it to be adjourned to 20 July to allow time for the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to provide directions in the case.
Mr McInerney’s solicitor Aengus McCarthy applied for free legal aid and said that his client is in receipt of a social welfare payment.
Sgt O’Sullivan said he would have some concern about free legal aid being assigned because, following the defendant’s arrest, €2,915 in cash, as well as three separate PTSB bank cards, were found in his possession.
Mr McCarthy said the reason why his client had the cash on him was because he had sold a car and was buying another one.
Judge Cody remanded Mr McInerney on continuing bail to 20 July. He reserved his decision on free legal aid and said he would like to see all bank statements for the past two months up to 1 June before making a decision.
Sgt O’Sullivan gave details of the arrest and charging of the second defendant Daniel McInerney (31), who has an address in the UK.
He was charged with the offence of affray in St Pater and Paul’s cemetery, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on 31 May.
Sgt O’Sullivan said before being released he was looking for a cash lodgement of €3,000 because he had an address outside of the state.
“He doesn’t have €3,000,” said solicitor Mr McCarthy, “but members of his family are in court to assist him.” Judge Cody asked Sgt O’Sullivan to outline the alleged incidents that took place on Sunday.
He said: “At 1pm in St Peter and Paul’s cemetery, there was a large gathering of the Travelling community among about 3,000 people present. Daniel McInerney was at a graveside. Tensions were high. There was also a large garda presence. Mr McInerney was quite aggressive and instituted an altercation between other members of the Travelling community. When he was arrested and being taken away, a large issue spread over the cemetery.” Mr McCarthy said that his client had flown in from the UK on Saturday evening to “pay his respects” on cemetery Sunday.
Judge Cody remanded Mr McInerney in custody with consent to conditional bail on his own bond of €600, a cash lodgement of €300 and an independent surety of €2,700.
Mr McCarthy asked that free legal aid be assigned.
However, Sgt O’Sullivan said he had concerns with this issue as, when arrested, Mr McInerney had AIB, Bank of Ireland and Lloyds Bank Visa cards in his possession.
Judge Cody said he was reserving his decision on granting free legal aid until Mr McInerney submits two previous months’ bank statements from each of the three banks.
Mr McInerney lodged the bail money shortly after and was released to appear before the court on 20 July for DPP directions.
Sgt O’Sullivan also gave details of arresting and charging a 17-year-old juvenile, who had an Offaly address, with the offence of possessing a knife during an incident. He said when the youth was arrested, he was taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station and made no reply to the charge.
He said there was no state objection to bail being granted, with conditions.
Mr McCarthy said his client was accompanied to court by his father.
Judge Cody granted free legal aid and remanded the youth on continuing bail to the 20 July sitting of the court for DPP directions.
The last defendant to appear in court arising from the incident in the cemetery was a 16-year-old, also from Offaly.
He was accompanied in court by his grandmother and was charged with affray.
He was remanded on conditional bail to the 23 July sitting of the court for DPP directions. Free legal aid was granted.
