One Traveller was jailed yesterday and nine others were ordered to pay a total of €14,000 to an Ennis publican arising from a "riot" at Brandon's pub in May of last year.
At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Garda Shane O'Connell said that during the course of a disturbance at Brandon's pub on May 3rd, 2006, an unidentified man held up a piece of wood to the neck of publican Declan Brandon and told him that if he contacted gardaí he would put the wood through Mr Brandon's neck. Garda O'Connell said that the threat was made as the unidentified man attempted to take the contents of the cash tills.
Garda O'Connell said that a second man, Patrick Qulligan (19), of Knockane, Newcastle- west, held a bottle to Mr Brandon's head. The garda told the court that "a riot" took place at the pub involving 30 to 40 Travellers that required Garda reinforcements, while defending counsel described the night's events as an "unforgettable atrocity".
In court, eight Travellers pleaded guilty to violent disorder while one other pleaded guilty to public order charges and a 10th pleaded guilty to robbery.
Garda O'Connell said he was confronted by a Traveller brandishing a gas cylinder, and was worried that others would throw bottles down from a balcony.
Garda O'Connell said that an engagement party was taking place at Brandon's pub involving Travellers from Ennis and Newcastlewest. Defence counsel Michael Collins said that there was no background of a feud or ill will between the Travellers.
In sentencing, Judge Michael White said the incident impacts on the vast majority of law-abiding Travellers.
Judge White ordered nine Travellers to pay compensation ranging from €3,000 to €500 to Mr Brandon, who was in court.
Judge White ordered that the man who brandished the gas bottle, Patrick Qulligan, be remanded in custody so a Probation Report could be carried out.
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