Cahersiveen is ‘untamed territory’ says judge

“WHATEVER is going on in Cahersiveen?” Judge James O’Connor asked this week after a fresh late night assault case was before him, while previous episodes involving other accused were also referred to.

In the latest case of an alleged late night assault in the town, Joe O’Driscoll, a 21-year-old Valentia Island, man appeared before Cahersiveen Court accused of two separate late night assaults causing harm.

A video clip had appeared on social media featuring Joe O’Driscoll of Feighmane at Main Street, Cahersiveen, on July 10 last. In the clip he appeared to be shouting “come on you bitch” at another young man, Sgt Miriam Mulhall-Nolan outlined. The court heard that Mr O’Driscoll struck two people with his fist and one person was kicked to the ground a number of times.

Three months later, on October 31, Mr O’Driscoll was allegedly involved in a similar assault involving a different young man, also at Main Street, Cahersiveen, the Sergeant continued. “Other people will be before the court also in connection with the late night assaults,” she added.

Solicitor for Mr O’Driscoll, Padraig O’Connell, said his client, who was not working and lived with his father and step-mother, would agree to curfew conditions.

“He has to stay completely out of Cahersiveen town or any other town,” Judge O’Connor told Mr O’Connell.

Later on at the end of the court sitting and after other accused were mentioned in connection with previous late night street fighting in Cahersiveen, Judge O’Connor remarked that Cahersiveen was gone to the stage now of “untamed territory”, referring to late night assaults taking place with people being kicked on the ground.

“There’s too much of this in Cahersiveen. You never or hardly at all find it in Kenmare, Killorglin, Killarney, Glenbeigh… Whatever is going on in Cahersiveen?” he questioned.