TRAVELLER FEUD
A District Court Judge has criticised what he says is the “culture of savagery” that breaks out feuding families at Traveller funerals.
Judge Kevin Kilrane told Sligo District Court last Thursday that at every funeral amongst the community it had to be “littered with Gardaí.”
“It’s an absolute scandal and I don’t know where it comes from,” said the Judge who asked a prominent member of the Travelling community, Patrick (Paddy) Sweeney (67) why violence was such a part of Traveller births, weddings and funerals.
Several members of the Travelling community were before the court charged with assault arising out of an incident at a Month’s Mind Mass at the Dominican Friary on February 4 th 2017 of a member of the Sweeney family.
A row had arisen over the size of the headstone being ordered for the grave at Sligo Cemetery, the court was told. Judge Kilrane asked Patrick Sweeney, a native of Sligo now living in Hollymount, County Mayo who had been charged with two counts of assault himself arising from the occasion, on Michael and Kate Sweeney, why such vicious rows broke out.
“What is in the culture that causes those problems? Is it cultural or alcohol? Why do vendettas emerge at funerals? “Why is there need for one hundred Gardaí at a funeral?” asked the Judge.
“I can’t answer that,” replied Patrick Sweeney.
Judge Kilrane said this was a nonn sense. “You were born into it, you know it, the culture,” said Judge Kilrane.
He went on to speak about the weapons that are produced at Traveller funerals. “Why is there need for that kind of savagery? Can you help me in that. Why is it a know feature of Trav- eller births, deaths and marriages? I do not understand where this violence comes from.” he said.
The defendant said he could only speak for his family and that any funeral they’ve ever held was respectful. He said he had grown up in Sligo, played darts for the county and was a boxing referee.
Earlier, the court was told “unhappy differences” had arisen at the Month’s Mind Mass of Patrick Sweeney’s brother.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (for Patrick Sweeney) and a number of the other men, told the court that he had taken control of the funeral and there been no difficulty at it. He was prepared to give an undertaking that there would be no more incidents.
Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said the alleged victims, Michael, Nora and Kate Sweeney had outlined to him a number of incidents which had taken place since where damage was caused while there had also been comments made on social media. There was a general situation of verbal abuse and threats, said the Inspector. Ongoing matters were being investigated, he added.
The case had been adjourned for ten minutes to allow the parties consult their solicitors and in turn speak with the Inspector. On resumption, the defendants gave undertakings not to interfere with the complainants or cause anyone else to either in person or through social media.
Judge Kilrane had probed a number of the defendants about taunting on social media and if they were aware of this going on.
Inspector Kilcoyne indicated he was happy for the matters to be adjourned for 12 months if undertakings were given. However, he wished to have liberty to re-enter the matters immediately if there was any further trouble.
Patrick Sweeney told the Judge that his family were the “condemned party” and that the Inspector had “heard the other side.”
“I want to explain a bit of our story to the Inspector,” he said before outlining that there had been a problem with the headstone with two female family members wanting a bigger one than the four foot high one allowed at Sligo Cemetery. There was friction as a result.
The defendant was the first to give the undertaking followed by Thomas Conroy (44) of 23 Ard Rua, Claremorris who was charged with assaulting Michael and Nora Sweeney; Michael Sweeney (38), Brookfield, Ballinode who was charged with assaulting Michael Sweeney; Tom Sweeney (40) of Kilmore Heights, Kilkelly who was charged with assaulting Michael Sweeney; Edward Sweeney (30) of Hollymount who was charged with assaulting Michael Sweeney; Martin Sweeney (37) 3 Mulberry Park, Ballinode who was charged with assaulting Kate Sweeney; Patrick Sweeney (30), Hollymount who was charged with assaulting Michael Sweeney.
The court heard that another defendant, Martin Ard Rua Conroy (23) of 23 Ard Rua, Claremorris who is charged with assaulting Michael Sweeney was in hospital and his case was adjourned for a week. The other cases were put back to April 25 th 2019.