This article is from page 12 of the 2013-10-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
RELATIONS rapidly deteriorated over a four-day period last October following a violent row at a wedding in Ennis Cathedral.
There followed a serious incident of criminal housing estate in the town centre on October 11 and an eruption of violence at the Maid of Erin three days later.
On Thursday Det John Casey of Ennis Garda Station said that while there has been no issues in the months since, gardaí believe the potential for violence remains if both sides encountered each other again.
He said a heavy Garda presence had been required anytime family members appeared in court.
The warning came as four people – Bernie McDonagh Snr (46), Christopher McDonagh (39), Bernie McDonagh Jnr (21) and a 17-year-old boy – appeared at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. All four have pleaded guilty to offences at the Maid of Erin on October 14 (2012).
Father of 10, Bernie McDonagh Snr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, drove a car the wrong way around the roundabout, nine times, while in pursuit of a Hiace van carrying members of the Doherty family.
He pleaded guilty to driving recklessly against the flow of traffic in a manner likely to cause harm.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage.
Father of six Christopher McDonagh, with an address at Childers Road, Cloughleigh, has pleaded guilty to the production of an iron bar during the course of a dispute.
Bernie McDonagh Jnr, with an address at Nashes Boreen, Cork, pleaded guilty to the production of a Stanley knife during the course of a dispute.
The now 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to the production of a hatchet during the course of a dispute.
All three also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Judge Gerard Keys said feuding of this kind “is going on and on”. “It beggars belief that this goes on,” he added.
The judge was told last week that the relationship between the families has not improved and that “tensions remain very high”.
“There are garda concerns for the potential for violent incidents,” said Detective Garda John Casey at a sitting of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday.
The warning came it as emerged that a State witness wore a stab proof vest to a sitting of Ennis District Court earlier this month at a case arising from the dispute between the families.
The families, who are connected through marriage, previously lived as neighbours and friends in the Ashline area of Ennis.