This article is from page 13 of the 2013-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A NORTH Clare farmer who threatened to kill his brother has been urged to make peace with his family. Gus Howley (56), of Ballytigue, Lisdoonvarna, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his brother at Larrakea, Kilfenora on November 8, (2012).
He also pleaded guilty at Ennis District Court on Wednesday to criminal damage of his brother’s car.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed summary disposal of the case. Judge Patrick Durcan accepted jurisdiction.
The court heard that Gus Howley called to a house where his brother Michael was working in a “fit of rage”. Garda Noel Carroll of Ennistymon Garda Station, told the court that Mr Howley smashed his brother’s car on his way to the site causing € 1500 worth of damage.
He said the accused brought a slash hook with him but broke it on the way to the site. Michael Howley was working on a scaffold and rang the gardaí because he feared for his life, the court heard.Garda Carroll said, “He (Gus Howley) ordered his brother to come out of the house, that he was going to kill him and if didn’t he was going to some day.”
Gus Howley told gardaí that was irate on the day because he had given his life savings of € 20,000 to his nephew and the money had not been repaid. He said the man had since moved to America. After hearing the evidence, Judge Patrick Durcan said slash hooks seem to be a popular weapon in Clare. “This seems to be slash hook county,” he added.
Judge Durcan said slash hooks were not readily available in his native Mayo. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that farmers in North Clare would have slash hooks on their farms. Defence solicitor Jim Finnegan said his client is extremely remorseful and regretful for the incident.
“A complete frustration built up when this money was taken from him by a cruel deception,” he added.
The court heard that gardaí are not investigating the circumstances in which Gus Howley gave the money to his nephew. Mr Finnegan said his client would try to re-pay the money within six months. Judge Durcan said he believed Gus Howley to be a man of excellent character, a hardworking man who feels he has been duped.
He added, “The fact that he is supported by his neighbours in court impressed me.” Judge Durcan said Mr Howley is guilty of a very serious offence but that he is not a criminal.
Garda Carroll told the court that the incident has “torn the family apart.”
Judge Durcan adjourned the case until March 13 to await the outcome of family negotiations.
He added, “Situations like this can go through a rural community and create a division.”