Latest news with #EnnisDistrictCourt
The Journal
20 hours ago
- The Journal
Retired judge allegedly punched outside cafe by man who said 'you put me in jail for nothing'
A 44-YEAR-OLD County Clare man told a retired district court judge 'you put me in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis cafe, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis appeared in connection with the alleged assault of retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan, last Saturday afternoon. The retired judge – now in his early 80s – served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67. In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm of Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on 14 June. Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge now into his 80s was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.' Judge Gabbett said: 'There is a possibility of other charges to follow here.' In a contested bail application for Mr O'Connor, Sergeant John Burke told the court that at 2.25pm on 14 June, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis having a coffee. Sergeant Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'. Sergeant Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.' Sergeant Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street. Advertisement He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis where he was treated for possible concussion and dizziness. Sergeant Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai. Sergeant Burke said that there was no medical evidence yet to hand and said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested where he made no admissions 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'. Sergeant Burke confirmed to the court that there is an independent witness to what occurred. Sergeant Burke also confirmed that Gardai were opposing bail and said that the original Garda position of consenting to bail for Mr O'Connor on stringent conditions was based on the length of time the case will take before the court. Judge Gabbett said that he was refusing bail based on the seriousness of the charge before the court. He said: 'The allegation here is that a retired member of the judiciary was punched on the street.' He said that 'the facts of the case are very straightforward'. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent Mr O'Connor. Mr Fitzpatrick asked that bail be granted as it will take a number of months for directions to be made in the case. Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison in court next Wednesday, 25 June.
Sunday World
21 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man allegedly told judge ‘you put me in jail for nothing' before punching him
'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge now into his 80s was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty' A 44-year old County Clare man told a retired district court judge 'you put me in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis cafe, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis has appeared in connection with the alleged assault of retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan last Saturday afternoon. The retired judge - now in his early 80s - served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67. In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm of Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on June 14th. Ennis District Court News in 90 Seconds - June 19th Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge now into his 80s was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.' Judge Gabbett said: 'There is a possibility of other charges to follow here.' In a contested bail application for Mr O'Connor, Sgt John Burke told the court that at 2.25pm on June 14th, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis having a coffee. Sgt Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'. Sgt Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.' Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street. He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis where he was treated for possible concussion and dizziness. Sgt Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai. Sgt Burke said that there was no medical evidence yet to hand and said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested where he made no admissions 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'. Sgt Burke confirmed to the court that there is an independent witness to what occurred. Sgt Burke confirmed that Gardai were opposing bail and said that the original Garda position of consenting to bail for Mr O'Connor on stringent conditions was based on the length of time the case will take before the court. Judge Gabbett said that he was refusing bail based on the seriousness of the charge before the court. He said: "The allegation here is that a retired member of the judiciary was punched on the street". He said that 'the facts of the case are very straightforward'. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent Mr O'Connor. Mr Fitzpatrick asked that bail be granted as it will take a number of months for directions to be made in the case. Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison in court next Wednesday, June 25th.
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Prisoner suffers scald injuries to face after attack by inmate, court told
Ms Godfrey said that the prison attack on Minto Ahmed required his transfer to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and he was then transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) A 44-year old remand prisoner was attacked in recent days by another prisoner in prison and suffered scald injuries across the right side of his face, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court today, solicitor for Minto Ahmed of Acha Bhile, Lahinch Rd, Ennis, Tara Godfrey told the court that Mr Ahmed was a victim to an assault at Limerick prison 'when he was scalded in an attack by another prisoner'. Mr Ahmed was produced in court today by personnel from the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and looking at the extent of Mr Ahmed's facial injuries, Ms Godfrey said that she did not appreciate the full extent of her client's injuries. Judge Alec Gabbett said that Mr Ahmed 'is very distressed by his appearance'. Ennis District Court News in 90 Seconds - June 18th Along with extensive scald injuries to the right side of his face, Mr Ahmed was also wearing a white bandage around his left wrist and lower arm. Ms Godfrey said that the prison attack on Mr Ahmed required his transfer to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and he was then transferred to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for further treatment. She said that Mr Ahmed was then discharged from CUH and returned to prison. Five prison officers today accompanied Mr Ahmed into court. Mr Ahmed is on remand concerning a charge of producing a hammer in the course of a dispute at his home on May 7th contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and was refused bail at Ennis District Court last month. Ms Godfrey said that given her client's current circumstances she was applying for bail. Ms Godfrey said Mr Ahmed's brother was in court to assist. Sgt John Burke said that Gardai has no objection to bail. Judge Gabbett adjourned the bail application to later in the day to ascertain if Mr Ahmed has been taking his medication while on remand in custody. When told by prison staff that Mr Ahmed last took medication on May 30th, Judge Gabbett said: 'I don't think I am in a position to grant bail.' The judge said that there is a serious public risk here with Mr Ahmed not taking his medication. He added that Mr Ahmed is also facing allegations of a very serious assault on a social worker during the course of their duty. Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Ahmed in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court on July 2nd. Sgt John Burke said that there will be DPP directions on that date.
The Journal
21-05-2025
- The Journal
Woman charged over Shannon Airport protest refused travel to UK for Arts Council-funded trip
A JUDGE TODAY refused to relax bail conditions to allow a woman charged with the criminal damage of a US aircraft at Shannon airport to travel to the UK for an Arts Council-funded work trip. At Ennis District Court today, Judge Alec Gabbett said that Galway woman, Nell Buckley (29), 'is charged with serious offences' and refused an application to have Ms Buckley's passport returned to allow her travel to Great Yarmouth over three days at the end of this month. Judge Gabbett said that the incident at Shannon airport received wide publicity in the papers and on social media. He said that the great concern to the court is the serious issue about airport safety 'and there could potentially be an international incident'. Ms Buckley of Ard Omra, Ballyburke, Ballymoneen Rd, Galway who has a Masters qualification, is one of three women charged with the criminal damage of the Omni Air International aircraft at Shannon airfield on 17 May. It will be alleged that part of the front of the aircraft was spray painted with red paint. Ms Buckley is also charged with entering a restricted area beside the control tower at Shannon airport with intent to unlawfully interfere with property on the same date. All three first appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court at 9pm on Sunday night and Ms Buckley's co-accused were bailed to re-appear before court on 9 July on strict bail conditions. Ms Buckley also obtained bail and as part of Ms Buckley's own bail conditions, she is barred from entering any aerodrome and must return her passport. Advertisement In court today, solicitor for Ms Buckley, Daragh Hassett asked that Ms Buckley's bail be amended to allow her to travel to the UK for three days for Arts Council-funded work. Hassett said that the flight tickets were booked for Ms Buckley 'by someone in the Arts Council'. He also said that at the initial bail hearing on Sunday it was flagged that a pre-booked work trip that had been arranged for her. 'She has a job. She works in the arts,' the solicitor said. Det Garda Roddy Burke said that the concerns he outlined at the bail hearing on Ms Buckley entering an airport remain. He said: 'There is a possibility there will be further charges in this case.' Mr Hassett said that the charges Ms Buckley faces are 'serious' and she intends to contest those charges when the case comes for trial. Ms Buckley said that has lived overseas for periods and did her Masters in Holland and returned from there in 2020. Mr Hassett said that Ms Buckley's mother has an independent surety of €500 in court to allow her daughter make the journey. Mr Buckley agreed with Mr Hassett that she was travelling to the UK for work and not under the guise of a protester and would be travelling alone. Mr Hassett said that Ms Buckley's flight tickets are to fly out of Dublin on Ryanair. Judge Gabbett refused the application and remanded Ms Buckley on continuing bail to re-appear in court on July 9th. Judge Gabbett later told Mr Hassett that he was not open to an application to allow Ms Buckley travel by ferry to the UK this month.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former Ryanair pilot refused bail on €10 million drugs charge
A former Ryanair pilot, charged with possession of more than €10 million worth of drugs, has international criminal connections, gardaí have alleged in court. Brendan O'Meara, 62, of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, was refused bail before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Saturday. 'He [Brendan O'Meara] has international criminal connections regarding the supply of controlled drugs,' Garda Sergeant Rob Sheehy, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, alleged before Judge Marie Keane during a contested bail hearing. Mr O'Meara faces two charges - possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on May 7. Gardaí told the court Mr O'Meara made no reply to the charges, and that 'further, and more serious charges' may be brought against him in respect of the case. The accused did not enter a plea in court. Gardaí alleged that Mr O'Meara had made certain 'admissions' while in custody following his arrest last Wednesday. Mr O'Meara, who was hugged and kissed in the court by his wife, and two female relatives, recently handed in his notice to Ryanair, it was heard. He had been intending to move to the United States to care for his brother who suffers with Parkinson's disease. Sergeant Sheehy said he considered Mr O'Meara a 'flight risk' — and that, if granted bail, the accused would 'attempt to leave the country' and not appear for trial. Gardaí seized pallets of cannabis with a street value of more than €10million euro at Mr O'Meara's home, last Wednesday, May 7. Outlining the alleged facts, Sgt Sheehy said gardaí received 'confidential information' in respect of a pallet delivery at Mr O'Meara's home address. Sergeant Sheehy said gardaí then obtained a search warrant at Ennis District Court, and that, later searching the accused's address, they seized 'an estimated 502kg of cannabis worth in excess of €10 million'. Mr O'Meara was arrested at his home and conveyed to Henry Street Garda Station where he was detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act. Sergeant Sheehy said he was objecting to bail because of the 'strength and nature of the evidence' as well as the high value of the drugs. He alleged that gardaí had obtained evidence to support their case, including 'CCTV footage' of Mr O'Meara at a 'courier depot' on May 6, a day before gardaí allege the cannabis haul was delivered to his home; as well as phone records showing alleged 'conversations in respect of the supply of drugs through Europe'. Sergeant Sheehy alleged Mr O'Meara had been 'caught red-handed on his property'. He told the court that the Garda investigation was in its 'infancy', but he said gardai believed that 'it stretches to a number of countries and there are a number of persons that need to be established'. 'We believe granting [Mr O'Meara] bail would hinder the progress of our investigation,' Sergeant Sheehy told the court. He claimed Mr O'Meara was also a flight risk due to his 'aeronautical knowledge', that he has a number of pilots licenses, and has links to the USA. 'He has a Green Card and he is in the process of moving his life to the USA, Columbus Ohio, and he has handed in his notice to his job,' Sgt Sheehy said. Applying for bail, Mr O'Meara's solicitor, Tara Godfrey, said the accused had 'three pilots licences including a helicopter licence, a UK pilot licence, and a EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) licence', and he would 'hand over' his licences to the State and not leave the country. 'His Ryanair crew card is being returned to his former employers,' Ms Godfrey said. The solicitor said Mr O'Meara had obtained a Green Card to live and work in the US, and that he was planning on 'going to America to his brother who has Parkinson's'. Ms Godfrey said Mr O'Meara was also in receipt of an 'Italian residency card' and he would also 'hand over' this, along with his US Green Card, to the State. Ms Godfrey said a sister of Mr O'Meara was in the court and had pledged to act as an independent bail surety for the accused for up to €177,000. Appealing for the court not to hold the accused in custody, Ms Godfrey said Mr O'Meara 'has offered up all the means he could to leave this country'. 'He has significant ties here, his wife is in court, his wife's sister is in court, his sister is in court, and his [other] sister passed away six weeks ago. 'He enjoys the presumption of innocence and I would ask the court not to remand him in custody,' Ms Godfrey concluded. Judge Keane agreed that Mr O'Meara 'maintains his presumption of innocence'. The judge said she was satisfied that gardaí had 'a credible case' in respect of their concerns about the accused being a 'flight risk'. In refusing bail, the judge said she had also considered that the accused 'has ties to another jurisdiction'. Judge Keane described the amount of drugs seized as 'enormous'. 'The seriousness of the alleged offence override's everything else. There is also the nature and strength of the evidence and his [alleged] admissions while in custody,' said Judge Keane. She remanded Mr O'Meara in custody to appear before Ennis District Court via video-link, for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, on May 14.
