Two women charged with assaulting a man in Longford town on Monday were granted bail by Judge John Neilan at Longford District Court yesterday.
Julia Ward (28), of Glebe View, Longford, and Bernadette Keenan (27), of Willow Park, Longford, appeared on charges of assault and engaging in abusive or threatening behaviour following a fracas on Monday at the Tesco shopping centre in Townspark, Longford.
During the hearing, Insp Joe McLoughlin of Longford Garda station said while there had been some reports in the media that the incident was the result of an inter-family feud, the victim was not associated with feuding "in any way".
He had instead become embroiled "by association" due to the company he was in at the time.
Insp McLoughlin said three people had been involved in the incident, although the third, a juvenile, did not appear before Judge Neilan. It was his belief that there would be "more serious charges to follow" after Garda investigations.
Ms Ward, a single mother with three children, took to the stand to tender a plea for bail.
She said she had been "defending" her sister, who, she said, had been attacked by the victim. The victim had initially hit her sister with a mobile phone across the face, and she had retaliated by hitting him in the eye.
Judge Neilan said the victim has been "in the wrong place at the wrong time", and the problem was "the constant feuding of certain members of our community".
He granted Ms Ward bail, and adjourned the case until July 4th. He told her that if there was "the slightest problem with you or any or your family" bail would be revoked.
In relation to Ms Keenan, the court heard that she was a mother of three with no previous convictions.
Addressing Ms Keenan, Judge Neilan said: "Whether you have three or 33 children, that will not influence this court one iota."
He also granted Ms Keenan bail, and adjourned her case to the same date, July 4th.