This article is from page 2 of the 2014-10-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THREE men who damaged the car of a woman attending a religious ceremony in Ennis have each received prison sentences after failing to pay compensation to their victim.
Michael Doherty (52), Patrick Doherty (35) and James Galbraith (46) were convicted in November (2013) of criminal damage.
They were ordered by Judge William Early to pay € 7000 compensation to the victim. Judge Early said if the money was paid, he would recommend a six month suspended sentence for each accused.
The case was adjourned to Febru- ary (2014) when the men were given eight months to pay compensation.
The three men appeared back before Ennis District Court on Wednesday where their solicitors said there was “no reality” to compensation being paid. Judge Patrick Durcan initially said he was reluctant to impose f nals orders on a case heard by another Judge.
But after being told, Judge Early had f xed recognizances in the event men chose to appeal the decision.
Judge Durcan activated six-month sentences in respect of each accused.
Michael Doherty and James Galbraith intend to appeal the orders.
Michael Doherty and Patrick Do- herty, both with addresses at St Michael’s Park, Ballymaley, Ennis and James Galbraith, formerly of Lissaniska, Ennis and now living in Bettystown, Meath, all denied the charge of criminal damage at Drumcliff graveyard on March 24, 2013.
In November 2013, Ennis District Court heard mother of two Kathleen Maughan was visiting her husband’s grave when her Ford Focus car was damaged in a violent incident at Drumcliff.
Ms Maughan told the court she saw three men armed with slash hooks and hatchets alight from vehicles and attack her car on March 24, 2013.
Ms Maughan, who is from Ennis but now lives in Cork, was one of a group of 20 people attending a blessing of the graves ceremony.
After hearing the evidence, Judge William Early said;
“I believe the evidence of Ms Maughan. I believe she is telling the truth, therefore it must follow that I f nd them guilty as charged.” Judge Early said it seemed to be the case that Ms Maughan was a “victim of one of these wretched family feuds that are all too common in the Traveller community”.
There was a heated conclusion to the hearing of the case when f urry of insults were f red at Ms Maughan from people sitting in the gallery. TODAY A b right sunny st art , cloud ing ove r lat e r b ut d r y, t e mp s 13c