This article is from page 16 of the 2008-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
LENGTHY court proceedings relat- ing to a feud involving three traveller families became heated amidst al- legations that a threat was made in Open court.
While another case was being heard in the district court late on Friday afternoon, a member of one of the families involved in the feud
shouted, ““He’s after threatening me that he’s going to break my neck.”
The claim was backed up by anoth- er member of his family, who sug- gested that a man at the other side of the courtroom had made gestures.
However none of the 12 gardai present in the courtroom at the time saw anything untoward.
Judge Joseph Mangan asked the man who was alleged to have made
the gesture why he was in court. He was told, “Just here to see how they are getting on.”
Judge Mangan replied, “You can read about it in the papers,’ and told him to leave.
‘I don’t want to see you here again during these cases unless you have a summons or a charge,” said the judge. Later, after bail was refused for three members of the Mongans
family, their solicitor Ted McCarthy said they were in fear of going to Limerick prison, “as they have re- ceived threats”.
Inspector John Galvin said _ that gardai would convey that message to the prison authorities.
Another accused, Patrick Mol- loy, was remanded in custody for a week to St Patrick’s Institution. His solicitor William Cahir said there
were fears of threats in Dublin. “I’ve got threats to say [ll be getting it,” Patrick Molloy told the court.
Inspector Galvin said that message would be communicated with the prison authorities.
Mr Cahir then pointed out, “The fears are very well founded and very genuine.” The judge later changed his ruling and remanded Mr Molloy to Limerick prison.