Public order incidents in Limerick estate described as 'a touch of the Wild West'
THERE was “a touch of the Wild West” about a number of public order incidents in a Southill estate as there were horses and weapons involved, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
A young man, who cannot be named as he was underage at the time, pleaded guilty to affray, criminal damage and production of a knife and a baseball bat in the course of a dispute.
Affray is when two or more persons use or threaten to use violence towards each other.
Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the case with the assistance of Detective Garda Michael Dunphy. Ms Buckley said there were a number of incidents which took place over an extended period of time on a date in July 2021.
Det Garda Dunphy played a number of CCTV clips for Judge Dermot Sheehan which showed the accused carrying a baseball bat, smashing the back windscreen of a vehicle, and pulling a knife out of his pocket. There are a number of onlookers, motorists driving on the road and horses in the footage.
Judge Sheehan noted the CCTV footage was very good quality.
“He is doing this in public view of other people - neighbours and the cameras. He must have known the cameras were there,” said the judge. Det Garda Dunphy agreed.
Ms Buckley said the accused expressed his right to silence during garda interviews. He has 44 previous convictions including for violent disorder.
Yvonne Quinn, defence barrister, said there were two parties - her client and another young man who is before the courts.
“They both had weapons and were running around after each other. They are cousins and neighbours. There is a touch of the Wild West about this with horses and weapons. It was an appalling incident,” said Ms Quinn.
Judge Sheehan asked why he did it?
“He said his cousin attempted to cause him serious injury while he slept. They reconciled their differences the next day and shook hands. There was immaturity on behalf of both parties,” said Ms Quinn, who added that her client was using cocaine and illegal medication at the time.
The barrister said there is employment open to him when he comes out of prison. He has been on remand in custody since July 2023.
Judge Sheehan said the CCTV played by Det Garda Dunphy shows “fairly significant examples of public disorder”.
“He produced a baseball bat and used it to damage an Opel. He engaged in affray with his cousin and produced a knife out of his pocket. It goes on for some time. A number of people on the street and motorists driving saw this. It occurred in broad daylight. It disturbed the estate,” said Judge Sheehan.
The judge said he was going to give the young man a chance, referring to the cousins having resolved their difficulties and the accused has the prospect of taking up a job.
Judge Sheehan imposed a suspended 18 month prison sentence for affray, a concurrent three month sentence for criminal damage and took the production of a baseball bat and a knife into consideration.