13 in court over ‘ongoing’ violent Killarney feud

THIRTEEN people, including 10 women, have appeared before a marathon sitting of Killarney District Court in connection with a long running and ongoing feud between families in the Ballyspillane area of the town

The uninterrupted seven hour sitting heard of “scuffles” in broad daylight and incidents involving pregnant women while children were nearby.

Abuse was hurled between parties outside Daly’s Supervalu; there were incidents involving vehicles and “reports” to gardaí of large groups of females fighting on the road at Upper Park Road the court heard.

There were other incidents involving women in the Hazlewood Drive and Ballyspillane area.

The 18-month-old “feud” between settled Traveller families in Ballyspillane is “ongoing” and a special court day was held at Killarney District Court on Monday to deal with almost 40 charges related to the feud.

There had been incidents and threats just days ago, one witness/accused person said.

All cases were minutely contested. Several of the 39 charges have had to be adjourned and dates are to be set for further special days. Sentencing has been delayed to prevent “one upmanship” in Ballyspillane until all can be dealt with together.

Gardaí were told they were not to hesitate to approach the court over Christmas if there was any trouble.

Among the cases dealt with was that of Shane McCarthy who was found with a single golf club and a pike with a handle in the back of his vehicle at Upper Park Road on April 18, 2019.

He told gardaí he was a member of Rochestown Golf Club in Cork and was playing the previous day. He didn’t have to bother with the rest of the golf clubs, “we play golf with one golf club,” he said.

Mr McCarthy (19), of Spring Bay Halting site Blackpool, Cork, was acquitted by Judge David Waters of the charge under the Firearms Act as no evidence was presented of how he intended to cause harm.

Margaret Harrington (40), of Hilltop Upper, Ballycasheen Heights, Killarney was convicted of assaulting Margaret Avanzo at around 7pm on August 31, 2018 at Upper Park Road Killarney, the main public road. She had denied the charge and said she acted in self defence.

Ms Avanzo said a white car came up behind her “beeping and beeping” near the upper car park at Daly’s Supervalu.

She got out of her car as she couldn’t take anymore of the “nightmare” Ms Avanzo said.

She claimed Ms Harrington got out of the car and had a “big massive weapon” (a stick) but put the stick back into the car.

“She lunged at me, scrope my face and banged my head off her car,” Ms Avanzo said.

She was living in “a nightmare” and constantly afraid for herself and her son.

However, Ms Harrington said

Ms Avanzo had pulled her by the hair and she had previously left Killarney “because of this family”.

Judge Waters also dismissed one case as he said there was no credibility on either side.

Lisa O’Brien Long claimed that Bridget Casey (nee O’Brien) and her husband James came out of their house shouting at her and banged on her car on March 21, as she was coming home from hospital after having a baby.

Ms Casey said “It didn’t happen”, adding “It never happened” and that lies were being fabricated.

Judge David Waters said he didn’t believe any of the three before dismissing the public order charges against the Caseys

Halloween was always particularly busy night in Ballyspillane with bonfires and fireworks and lots of vehicles, the court heard.

On October 31, 2018, gardaí and the fire service were attending. Bridget O’Brien was on the road in Hazlewood Drive collecting her child because of the fireworks when Bridget Casey and Vera Dooley drove up.

Casey was convicted of common assault on Bridget O’ Brien and on her sister Lisa O’Brien Long and Vera Dooley aged 35 of 149 Ballyspillane, was convicted of assaulting 40-year-old Margaret Harrington.

James Casey of 13 Hazlewood Drive was convicted of Dangerous Driving at Hazlewood on March 27 last.

John O’Brien told how he was on the road at around 9.30pm and was walking with a stick because of gout when a car – which was described to the court as a 2018 VW navy Passat – came at high speed passed him and “clipped him”.

He said he swung his stick as the car came at him.

Dashcam footage provided by Mr Casey was shown to the court which showed Mr O’Brien make a striking motion at the car. Mr Casey said O’Brien had lunged towards his car.

Judge Waters disqualified Casey for two years from driving.

James Casey (29) was found guilty also of calling Lisa O’Brien Long a “fat smell” and that he would burn her.

This was at Daly’s Supervalu car park at 8.30 pm on July 5 last, the court heard.

However, Mr Casey claimed he was being intimidated and his family was being abused “day and night”.

He also said gardai were following “mirage stories”

“It’s gone to a stage now where a person needs to wear CCTV around their neck to walk around Ballyspillane,” James Casey said.

Judge Waters convicted him of a public order offence .

A date is to be decided for the remaining cases which may take up to three days.

Meanwhile, the court also heard reference to a case of violent disorder outside Mr Price in Ballycasheen for which the book of evidence is awaited.

The court also heard reference to at least one serious assault allegation which is pending and in which Mr James Casey was hospitalised due to the injuries inflicted on him.

Monday’s special sitting was attended by 20 gardaí and detectives and the defendants were variously represented by high profile solicitors, Padraig O’Connell of Killarney and Dublin based Aengus McCarthy and the barrister Kenny Kerins.

Further matters have been adjourned to a sitting on December 17 next.

Killarney Courthouse where a marathon sitting took place on Monday.