Three refused bail after Glanmire disturbance
Bail was refused tonight to three men facing charges arising out of a serious disturbance at a Travellers’ campsite following the death of a man in a car crash at the weekend.
Sergeant Edward Geary said the gardaí were opposing bail because of the seriousness of the incident, which occurred at Killalough, Glanmire, Co Cork, on Sunday morning and early afternoon.
Three members of An Garda Síochána were injured, several cars were damaged, including three Garda patrol cars and at least three cars owned by members of the public passing by at the time.
“Implements used included slash hooks and iron bars. Rocks were used as missiles fired at Garda members and at civilian vehicles. There are other charges to be considered, more serious in nature. Directions are awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions," said Sgt Geary.
“If they are released on bail they may commit other serious offences. This incident commenced yesterday morning and continued for a number of hours.
"Assistance of the Public Order Unit had to be called in order to effect arrests."
Garda Michael O’Brien said in respect of Christy O’Driscoll (aged25): “He went straight for me with a slash hook.
"I sat into an official patrol car. He pursued me. He hit the side of the car with a slash hook. Local gardaí now fear for public safety. If he got drunk he might go at members of the public rather than gardaí.”
Inspector Colm O’Sullivan said Garda Florence O’Sullivan was injured when “glass went into his eyeball and the area surrounding his eye. The glass had to be removed. The injury was caused by the windscreen being beaten in around him.”
Judge Tim Lucey refused bail and remanded the three accused in custody until Friday at Cork District Court.
Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said all three were anxious to get to the funeral of their uncle, William O’Driscoll of Kenley, Model Farm Road, who was killed in a car crash on Saturday.
John Paul O’Driscoll (aged 20) is charged with assault causing harm to Garda Florence J O’Donoghue on Sunday, assaulting and resisting or obstructing Garda John G Aherne, damaging a patrol car, carrying a slash hook and being drunk and threatening.
Jason O’Driscoll (aged 25) is accused of having an iron bar for threatening the gardaí, obstructing Sergeant Edward J Geary and being threatening to such an extent as to cause a breach of the peace.
Christy O’Driscoll (aged 25) is charged with obstructing and assaulting Garda James Heffernan, damaging two patrol cars from Cobh Garda Station and a private car, having a steel bar and a slash hook, being drunk and threatening and leaving the Texaco service station in Sallybrook, Glanmire, without paying for €10 worth of petrol.
John Paul and Christy are brothers and Jason is their cousin. They are all nephews of the man killed in the car crash.
