Fourteen defendants, members of the travelling community from Mullingar, Moate, Athlone and Edgeworthstown, who were charged with violent disorder, and were brought before Mullingar Court last week, as a result of the events in Dominick Street, Mullingar, on St. Patrick’s night, 17 March, 2015, have been returned for trial to the circuit court, based on a decision by the DPP.
Five of the Joyce defendants were from Moate, and one from Athlone, while seven of the Nevin defendants had Mullingar addresses, with one from Edgeworthstown.
At last week’s court, straight-talking local district court judge, Séamus Hughes, while making it clear that he was commenting without any criticism of the DPP, said that he reckoned it could cost the State €200,000 to try these men and said it would be “a gravy train for solicitors and barristers”.
Judge Hughes also saw it as an absolute joke how the fourteen men charged could come up with €500 cash each within hours of being arrested, but none could afford to pay for legal representation.
Mullingar District Court heard last Thursday that gardaí were confronted by “mayhem” when they arrived at The Stillery pub in Dominick St., Mullingar, on March 17 2015, where an altercation had broken out between members of two traveller families, the Nevins and Joyces.
Garda Inspector Jarlath Folan told Judge Hughes that on entering the pub, Gardaí had to separate the two factions and there was upturned furniture, blood and glass on the ground.
Inspector Folan said 18 Gardaí, including members of specialist units, attended the incident. One Garda sustained an eye injury and was “out of work for some time”, Insp Folan said.
JUDGE’S SURPRISE
Accepting that the decision to proceed to trial was the DPP’s prerogative, Judge Hughes expressed surprise that the DPP had opted for trial on indictment without giving the option of signed pleas.
Judge Hughes explained that he was making the comments “without any criticism” of the DPP, but in order for the DPP to “reflect” on the issue.
He said the case “is going to cost the taxpayers of this country”, estimating the cost to the State could be in the region of €200,000. Each of the defendants was granted cash bail of €500 with strict conditions, including curfew and not gathering in groups.
Judge Hughes said it was “amazing” that €7,000 in cash could be produced at the court for the 14 defendants, yet nobody could afford legal representation.
All defendants were remanded on bail to re-appear at Mullingar District Court on 10 March next, with books of evidence to be prepared.
