An 18-year-old man has been denied bail after he was charged in connection with offences which allegedly occurred as part of an ongoing and escalating feud between two rival families in Charleville, Co Cork.
Paddy O’Driscoll, of Rosewood Drive, Charleville, appeared before Fermoy District Court on Friday charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window at the home of Mark O’Neill at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville on January 8th.
He was also charged with possession of a slash hook on the same date.
Det Garda Gary Costelloe gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He told Judge Alec Gabbett that Mr O’Driscoll was arrested on Thursday and detained at Mallow Garda station. The accused made no reply when he was charged with two offences at 9.27pm, he added.
Det Garda Costelloe said gardaí were objecting to bail due to the serious nature of the charges. He claimed Mr O’Driscoll has been involved in an ongoing feud between his relatives and the O’Neill family.
He expressed concern in relation to a possible escalation in levels of aggression between the families, and said “multiple” incidents had already occurred.
Det Garda Costelloe said he feared the granting of bail would allow the accused to get involved in possible intimidation of eyewitnesses in the case.
Judge Gabbett asked if witness intimidation was “beyond a possibility”, to which Det Garda Costelloe replied: “I believe it is likely. This incident stems from an ongoing feud. I believe there will be intimidation of witnesses.”
I have been dealing with this matter for many years. I find it hard to believe that it has come to an end.
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Mr O’Driscoll gave an undertaking to abide by any bail conditions set down by the court.
“I’ll make it my business to be in for my curfew,” he said, adding he would also sign-on at the relevant Garda station.
Feud resolution
Defence solicitor Matthew Bermingham said it was his understanding that the feud between the families had come to an end.
However, Det Garda Costelloe said that he highly doubted that a resolution had been reached.
“I have been dealing with this matter for many years. I find it hard to believe that it has come to an end.”
Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O’Driscoll in custody until January 19th, but certain matters will be clarified before the accused comes before the court again.
Mr O’Driscoll’s court appearance comes after four men appeared before Midleton District Court on Thursday in connection with a garda investigation into the same family feud.
Objecting to the bail of John Meehan (23), whose mother’s maiden name is O’Driscoll, Det Garda Costelloe expressed concern that the dispute would escalate, and further offences would be carried out.
The garda claimed Mr Meehan, of Corrin View, Ballyhea, Co Cork, was involved in the feud between the two families, which involved “multiple incidents of criminal damage”.
“The level of violence has escalated and there is a risk of somebody suffering serious bodily harm if it continues.”
Mr Meehan was also charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window at the house of Mark O'Neill on January 8th, and possession of a slash hook on the same date.
Defence solicitor, Charlie O’Connor, said his client vehemently denied any involvement in the feud, and also denied having any role in the alleged offences.
However, Judge Colm Roberts said he was satisfied that garda concerns about an intensification of the feud were well-founded, and remanded Mr Meehan in custody to appear at Mallow District Court on January 16th.
'It never happened'
Three other men were also charged with causing criminal damage on dates earlier this month.
Sonny O’Neill, of St Brendan’s Drive, Charleville, and Mark O’Neill, of Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, were each charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysalagh in Charleville on January 4th.
While Det Garda Paul O’Shea said Sonny O’Neill (45) made no reply to the charge, Det Garda Brendan Dunne said Mark O’Neill (43) insisted “it never happened” when the charge was put to him.
Mark O’Neill’s 19-year-old son, Davey, was also charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysallagh on January 3rd, and with making a threat at Goughs Pub in Charleville.
Judge Roberts granted the three men bail with stringent conditions, and they are due to appear before Mallow District Court again on January 23rd.
