Three in dock for alleged assault and intimidation in Ennis ‘feud’

THREE men have appeared in court on charges of witness intimidation and assault causing serious harm arising from an alleged inter-family feud in Ennis.

Bernie McDonagh (55), Michael McDonagh (32) and Thomas McDonagh (20), all with addresses at the unofficial halting site, Kilrush Road, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court this week.

All three men were released on bail after lodging sums totalling €2,500 in court. Their cases were adjourned to November 16.

The three men are each charged with intimidating Kelly O’Loughlin at Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on April 12, 2022.

The charge states Ms O’Loughlin is a witness in proceedings and the three men allegedly carried out the offence with the intention of causing the investigation or the course of justice to be obstructed or interfered with.

The offence is contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 and carries a maximum 10 year prison sentence in the circuit court.

Bernie McDonagh, Michael McDonagh, Thomas McDonagh and a fourth man, Bryan Gannon (18), with an address at Shalee Drive, Cloughleigh, are all charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Patrick McDonagh at Davitt Terrace Avenue, Cloughleigh on May 29, 2022.

That alleged offence is contrary to section 4 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person act and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. All four accused are also charged with committing violent disorder at Davitt Terrace on May 29, 2022.

The court heard the case is to proceed on indictment and will be heard in Ennis circuit court.

In court, Detective Sergeant John Casey, detective garda Frank Browne and garda Barry Comer gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

The court heard each of the four men made no reply to any of the charges after caution. All four men were granted legal aid and were represented in court by solicitor, Daragh Hassett.

Mr Hassett said Bernie McDonagh, Michael McDonagh and Thomas McDonagh were previously granted bail by the High Court on older charges arising from the alleged “feud”.

Sergeant Aiden Lonergan said the State objected to bail being granted on the new charges but Mr Hassett said he had concerns about the objection given the high court had previously considered the issues.

Judge Mary Larkin granted Bernie, Michael and Thomas McDonagh bail on the same conditions as the high court. Judge Larkin said if there were any breaches, gardaí could bring the matter back before the court.

To meet their bail conditions, Bernie and Michael McDonagh each lodged €1,000 in court and were released on bail to appear again in court next Wednesday. Thomas McDonagh lodged €500 in court and was released on bail, also to appear in court next week.

Judge Larkin remanded Bryan Gannon on continuing bail to appear again in court on November 16.