Judge compares chaotic Clare farmyard scene to ‘Wild West’

A JUDGE has compared a late night chaotic farm-yard scene where a father and son confronted Gardai with a pitch-fork and a calving jack to something from the Wild West.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Mary Larkin described the conduct of Denis Waters (53) and his son, Brian Waters (25) both with an address at Lacken, Kilmihil as “unbelievable”.

Judge Larkin stated, “If it was the Wild West you would say something but this is supposed to be a civilised country.”

Solicitor for Denis Waters, Patrick Moylan said that “chaos” unfolded after Brian Waters looked on at around 1.30am on October 26 last to see Gardai pursue his father, Denis into the farm-yard at Derreen, Tullycrine near Kilrush.

Solicitor for Brian Waters, John Casey said that “out of nothing, all hell broke loose” in the farm-yard as his client was helping a cow to calve at the time when Denis Waters and Gardai entered the yard.

Mr Moylan said that Denis Waters had earlier driven to the local pub “to have a few drinks” on the night and he got a call to return home as Brian was having trouble with a cow calving.

Mr Moylan said that the cow was in difficulty and he left the pub to get into the car to return home to help Brian with the cow.

He said that Mr Waters had arranged to get a lift home from the pub before getting the call from Brian.

Sergeant Louis Moloney said that Denis Waters had taken off at speed from the pub at Tullycrine in the direction of Kilrush.

Sergeant Moloney said that the Garda patrol car activated the blue lights and siren but Mr Waters failed to stop.

The sergeant said that Mr Waters took a right turn to a farmhouse and Gardai wanted to arrest Denis Waters on suspicion of drink driving. Both cars arrived at the farm-yard.

However, Garda were prevented from arresting Denis Waters when he picked up the calving jack in the farm yard and started to swing it and it came close to Garda Gerard Summerly’s head.

Sergeant Moloney said that Garda Summerly was pushed back by Brian Waters on numerous occasions who went to a shed and picked up a pitchfork and told Garda Summerly, “I am going to give it to you.”

Sergeant Moloney stated that while Brian Waters “was prodding the pitch fork forward Garda Summerly, he had no option but to deploy his OC (Pepper) spray in a bid to protect himself”.

Gardai from Ennis and Kilrush came to the scene, Sergeant Moloney said.

He added that Denis Waters made good his escape into the fields behind the farm yard. The following morning, Denis Waters presented himself to the local superintendent.

In the case, Judge Larkin imposed on Denis Waters a six-year driving ban after he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a four-year driving ban for dangerous driving and fines of €800.

Judge Larkin said, “Denis Waters should not have been driving. He should not have been driving without insurance and probably not drink driving.”

Judge Larkin adjourned sentencing of Brian Waters for the completion of a Probation Report to see if he is suitable for a community service order.

Brian Waters has pleaded guilty to producing a pitchfork during the course of a dispute and obstructing a Garda during the course of his duties.

Judge Larkin also ordered that a Probation Report be carried out on Denis Waters concerning his obstruction offence and adjourned all remaining cases to October. 

Mr Casey said Brian Waters works as a mechanic but helps with the farm before he goes to work and after he comes home from work.

He said, “They have a suckler herd which is very much hands on and needs 24-hour attention at certain parts of the year. Brian reacted very badly to the situation.”

Mr Casey said that Brian has no previous convictions while Sergeant Moloney said Denis Waters has a conviction for drink driving and driving without insurance.

Mr Moylan said that father of three adult children, Denis Waters is very upset at what he has put his son through.

Mr Moylan said when Denis Waters presented himself to the local superintendent the superintendent agreed what happened was totally out of character.