Clare man who threw firebomb breached bail ‘nine or ten’ times

A JUDGE has revoked bail for a man who threw a petrol bomb into a family’s home in Ennis. 

At Ennis circuit court, Judge Francis Comerford granted the State’s application to revoke bail for Martin Mongans (34) who is awaiting sentencing for his role in a feud-related violent attack. 

Judge Comerford made the order after hearing evidence Mongans breached his bail conditions on nine or 10 occasions since he was first admitted to bail 11 months ago. 

Mongans, a father of seven with an address at College Grove, Ennis, has pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment contrary to section 13 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.  The charge against  Mongans relates to an attack at 25 Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh, Ennis on November 22, 2021. 

The charge states Mongans intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct – throwing a petrol bomb and the reckless discharge of a firearm – that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm. 

Detective sergeant John Casey told the court that the evidence will be that shortly after midnight on the date in question, Martin Mongans and two accomplices arrived at the home of John O’Loughlin at 25 Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh, Ennis. 

Sergeant Casey said it will be alleged that Mongans threw a petrol bomb and discharged two shots from a homemade firearm. 

Sergeant Casey said, “I would contend this particular incident of endangerment is at the upper end of endangerment offences.” 

Outlining the reasons why the State were seeking to revoke bail, Sergeant Casey said the accused was granted conditional bail when he was first charged and brought before the district court in December 2021. 

The court heard that in May 2022, the State applied to the district court to revoke Mongans’ bail after he was found to have breached his curfew on three occasions. 

The district court readmitted Mongans to bail but revoked it a month later after he was again found to have breached curfew.

Mongans then applied to the High Court for bail but was refused after gardaí strongly objected. 

In July, Ennis circuit court readmitted Mongans to bail, despite further garda objections, after a family member lodged in court  €10,000 on the accused’s behalf. 

In the State’s latest application last week, Sergeant Casey told the court there had been six further curfew breaches of bail between October 28 and October 30.

The court heard gardaí had called to Mongans’ address at various times after 10pm and could not establish if he was in the house. 

Sergeant Casey said he rang the accused’s mobile phone and got no answer. 

Sergeant Casey said the accused has pleaded guilty to a late night attack and the curfew condition is important as it allows gardaí to monitor his movements. 

Sergeant Casey said, “It is most concerning to me that this man is out and about and we don’t know where he is. I am concerned regarding possible further interactions with the victim in the case.

The court heard Martin Mongans has five convictions for offences committed while on bail including assault causing harm and criminal damage. 

Defence counsel Amy Nix BL told the court her client had asked gardaí to agree to vary his curfew conditions to allow him attend a recent confirmation party at a family member’s home in
Kilmihil. 

The court heard gardaí had not agreed and Mongans attended the party.

Asked by Ms Nix why gardaí did not agree to vary the curfew, Sergeant Casey said, “We don’t have the resources to be following Mr Mongans around.”

Asked if there were any conditions that would satisfy gardaí in relation to allowing Martin Mongans be re-admitted to bail, Sergeant Casey said, “He has had a flippant attitude to bail since he was admitted to it and there are no conditions that would allay my concerns.”

Ms Nix said her client is a committed family man who is “extremely sorry” for this “stupid mistake”. 

Judge Francis Comerford said the accused carried out a “deliberate and considered breach of bail conditions” by attending the confirmation party. 

Judge Comerford said even when the accused knew gardaí had not agreed to vary his curfew, “he went out and breached the terms of his bail”. 

Noting the seriousness of the charge against the accused, Judge Comerford remanded him in custody to appear again in court on February 14, 2023 when he is due to be sentenced.