Judge felt that couple had suffered enough

BOTH HAD FACED PUBLIC ORDER CHARGES IN BRIDGE STREET

‘I think they have suffered enough,’ Judge Coughlan remarked when striking out charges against a Sweden-based husband and wife.

Alan McKenna (47), ‘Adare’, Bellurgan Point, Dundalk, was accused of engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, and being intoxicated and a danger to himself and others in Bridge Street, Dundalk; and causing criminal damage to the floors and walls of the custody and cell areas at Dundalk garda station, all on 14 September, 2016.

Malin Berg, meanwhile, of Norra Vagen 21, Halmstad, Sweden, was charged with the same two counts of public order in Bridge Street.

The district court heard McKenna, a retired soldier, suffered an assault in this incident, and that he and his wife ‘ have spent thousands of euro’ travelling from Sweden to meet the case.

Representing Alan McKenna, solicitor Frank McDonnell said the facts are not conceded by his client.

He was assaulted outside a premises in Bridge Street, when knocked to the ground, and kicked and punched, outlined Mr McDonnell, who handed in photographs of the defendant’s injuries.

CCTV was not working on the night in question

When gardaí arrived, they arrested McKenna in the course of carrying out their public order duty.

At the station, Mr. McDonnell continued, the accused became so unwell, he was removed to hospital.

It is alleged he was bleeding profusely at the scene, and at the station was bleeding and spitting blood.

The solicitor said his client gave 23 years’ service in the defence forces, including overseas, and was a member of the army rangers.

Mr. McDonnell added the two defendants are out a lot on money, having spent thousands of euro travelling for the case, when they might have opted to ‘stay away’.

Inspector Martin Beggy said the assault on Alan McKenna was investigated, and no prosecution was directed.

Malin Berg was represented by solicitor, James MacGuill, who told the court no Swedish interpreter was in court, as required by his client.

‘Do you feel they have suffered enough?’ the judge asked Inspector Beggy, who replied the incident was very distressing for them and the other parties.

Judge Coughlan felt so, and remarked Alan McKenna got a bad beating.

He struck out all charges against each accused.