Tag Archives: Clare District Courts

A JUDGE has stated that she is not going to criminalise four respectable north Clare farmers involved in a row over a right of way in Bellharbour in the Burren. At Ennis District Court, Judge Mary Larkin told the four men, “You can’t be pushing and shoving and rowing about a right of way. I am happy for the circuit court to resolve the right of way matter.” In the case, the four men deny the assault charges against them before the district court. Twin brother and farmer, Terence McGann (43) of Turlough, Bellharbour, denies  the assault of Joseph Forde at Turlough, Bellharbour, on October 4 2021. Mr McGann’s twin and farmer, Justin (43) of the same address denies the assault of Emmet Forde at the same location on the same date. Arising from the same incident, Emmet Forde (32) of Glenoir, St Senan’s Road, Ennis, denies the assault of Justin McGann at the same location on the same date …

A FATHER was out walking with his two young children in Ennis town centre last week when he was allegedly assaulted by his first cousin armed with a long handle slash-hook, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Garda Alan Hill said that the alleged daylight assault by Peter Molloy (22) – who was wearing a red Man Utd replica top at the time – with a long handle slash-hook on his cousin, Eamon Quinn at Simms Lane, Buttermarket, Ennis shortly after 2pm is part of an ongoing feud between the Molloy and Quinn families. Garda Hill told the court that Mr Quinn suffered lacerations to his left arm and right leg from the alleged assault. He said the two men “are well known to each other as they are first cousins”. Garda Hill told the court that the incident “is one of a number of instances being investigated in an ongoing feud between the Molloys and the Quinns”. …

A WEST County Clare cancer survivor who turned to cannabis for pain relief after the “horrible” ‘Oxycontin’ opioid drug played havoc with him has been convicted of cultivating cannabis plants. At Kilrush District Court, Judge Mary Larkin fined James Lawrence (61) of Kiltumper, Kilmihil, Co Clare €100 after he pleaded guilty to the cultivation of cannabis without a licence at his home on July 3 2021. Judge Larkin told Mr Lawrence that she wished him well. She said that she just wished someone of Mr Lawrence’s age would find a better way and not have to come into court “and if he has issues, I would like him to resolve them without having to come in here”. Sergeant Louis Moloney told the court that during the course of a Garda search of Mr Lawrence’s home on July 3 2021, a quantity of cannabis herb was discovered in the living room and three cannabis plants were discovered in a bedroom. On …

A MAN charged in connection with a fatal road crash that claimed the life of a Clare woman has been returned for trial to Ennis circuit criminal court.  At Ennis District Court, a book of evidence was served on Damien McNamara (38). McNamara, with an address at Lissatunna, Ennistymon, is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Stephanie Fitzpatrick, at Cloonaveigh, Lahinch Road, near Ennistymon on February 19, 2022.  Ms Fitzpatrick, who was from Lisdoonvarna, was a front seat passenger in the car when the collision occurred.  In court, Garda Joseph Ryan gave evidence of serving a copy of the book of evidence on solicitor Daragh Hassett for his client, Damien McNamara.  Sergeant Louis Moloney told the court the director of public prosecutions (DPP) has directed trial on indictment in the circuit criminal court. Sergeant Moloney said he was applying to have the matter returned to the next sessions of Ennis Circuit Criminal Court. McNamara was remanded on bail …

AN EAST Clare man reached speeds of 100kmph on his quad bike in a high speed chase with Gardai across four townlands near the village of Tulla over two years ago. At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett banned Jake James (27) of Uggoon Upper, Tulla in east Clare from driving for two years and told him that “you are very lucky you are not going to Limerick prison”. Judge Gabbett said that quad bikes are “very dangerous” and noted that Mr James – who works in tree surgery and tree care – and his pillion passenger were not wearing helmets on the day. Garda Darren McLoughlin said that the chase continued for 6.8km and he terminated the chase due to safety considerations for Mr James and his pillion passenger. Garda McLoughlin said that Mr James’s unregistered green yamaha reached speeds of 100kmph during the chase through the townlands that included Rine, Drumullan and Milltown. Judge Gabbett …

A CLARE man with a “history of significant involvement in the drugs trade” has received a three-month prison sentence. At Ennis District Court, Judge Mary Larkin imposed the sentence on Martin O’Brien (41) for obstructing a garda during a search of house in Sixmilebridge last year. O’Brien, a father of six with an address at the Bungalow, Wood Road, Kilrush, pleaded not guilty to obstruction and another charge arising from a money-laundering related offence. Both charges relate to a garda search of a house in Sixmilebridge on February 11, 2021. The court heard members of the Clare garda divisional drugs unit, supported by the armed support unit, executed a warrant at the property. O’Brien told gardaí he was present at the house to buy a car for his daughter. After a hearing of the case, Judge Larkin said she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt O’Brien had obstructed a garda during the exercise of his duty. Judge Larkin said she was …

A STONEMASON was not in his “full senses” when he used a consaw to try and damage a wall outside a pub, a court has heard. At Killaloe district court, Brendan Ryan (37), with an address at Cooleen, Birdhill, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to the production of an offensive weapon during the commission of an offence and a further charge of being intoxicated to such an extent so as to be a danger to himself or others. The charges arise from an incident at O Riains public house in Ballina, Co Tipperary on November 1, 2021. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan said in light of the guilty pleas, the State would be offering no evidence on the two remaining charges of criminal damage and breach of the peace. Outlining the facts of the case, Sergeant Lonergan told the court that gardaí responded to a report of a man damaging a wall outside the premises in question. Gardaí spoke to staff who informed …

A CLARE man used a hatchet to allegedly assault a vulnerable man with special needs, a court has heard. At Ennis district court this week, Judge Mary Larkin refused bail in the case of Andre Donegan (30). Donegan, with an address at Smith’s Gardens, Kilkee, is charged with assault causing harm to an adult male.  He is further charged with the production of hatchet during the course of a dispute, in a manner likely to intimidate or cause injury. Both charges arise from an alleged incident at St Patrick’s Terrace, Kilkee, on June 1, 2019. Donegan has indicated that he will plead guilty to assault.  Opposing Donegan’s bail application, Garda Jack Cagney of Kilrush garda station told the court that on the date in question it will be alleged Donegan used a hatchet to strike the left side of the alleged victim’s head.  The man was hospitalised and received treatment for a wound, the court heard.  The court heard the …