Killarney street fight over €500 debt

TWO Bangladeshi men in Killarney fought each other with keys and a knife in a row over a €500 gambling debt the courts have heard.

The incident on an August evening in 2016 frightened the people of Killarney, and the town’s large and law abiding Bangladeshi community.

It was sparked by a gambling debt, Sgt Leo Randles told Tralee Circuit Criminal Court where Abul Munsur, aged 50 of Lartigue Court, Chapel Lane, Killarney, and Bakul Rahman aged 47 of Cahernane Meadows, Killarney had appeared for sentencing.

Both men have been in Killarney a considerable amount of time – Mr Rahman for 17 years, and Mr Monsur for over 10 years – and they have never been in trouble before. The sergeant said they had travelled the world together seeking work.

Both pleaded guilty to affray, on August 29, 2016 at O’Donovan’s Court High Street. Munsur further pleaded guilty to assault. Rahman, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Munsur, and to producing of a knife.

The men were assisted by an interpreter. Just prior to the incident the manager of an amusement arcade and club saw Mr Munsur verbally abusing Mr Rahman, Sgt Randles said.

Mr Rahman went to seek comfort from friends in nearby in High Street; there was a phonecall and Mr Rahman told gardai he was “called out” by Mr Munsur and he went to meet him, accompanied by a Polish man by way of support.

There was a fight in which Mr Rahman produced a knife slashing Mr Munsur in the face. Mr Munsur used his keys and knuckles to punch Mr Rahman inflicting bruising.

Gardai who were called to the scene met a Polish man running towards the station for help with Mr Munsur, his face lacerated, in pursuit, the Sergeant said.

“The set-to was on the public street?” Prosecuting counsel Tom Rice asked, and he was told this was so.

On release from hospital Mr Munsur, who had to receive plastic surgery, said Mr Rahman owed him €500. He was waiting for payment when the knife was produced, he told gardai.

Katie O’Connell, counsel for Mr Rahman at once admitted his involvement. “They have now shaken hands,” she said. The pair had been friends for 20 years. They had never had as much as a parking ticket, she said.

“They are fully aware their behaviour was disgraceful,” she said, adding that the large Bangladeshi community living around High Street also condemned their behaviour.

Judge Thomas E O’Donnell said: “This was a very nasty incident and I am quite sure the people of Killarney were quite frightened by what they saw.” As it was a once-off incidend he applied the Probation Act but warned he did not want to see them in court again.