Traveller couple get jail for part in brawl
A TRAVELLER couple both received prison sentences at Listowel District Court on Wednesday where they pleaded guilty to a part in a brawl in town during last year's races.
The brawl was the result of an ongoing feud between two Listowel Traveller factions at the time, which has since been resolved.
John Evans, 36 The Writings, Listowel, and his wife, Noreen McCarthy, 3 O'Connell's Avenue, Listowel, were charged with public order offences arising from their part in the incident which happened after midnight on September 19 of last year in the Square.
Mr Evans pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening and abusive manner and Ms McCarthy pleaded guilty to obstructing gardaí. The court heard that gardaí arrived to the fracas to find Mr Evans roaring and shouting abuse. As they went to arrest him, Ms McCarthy obstructed them. She screamed at gardaí as they arrested her.
Each had a number of previous convictions.
Solicitor for the couple, Helena O'Carroll, explained that her clients had in fact been the ones to call the gardaí on the night. They had quietly gone for a few drinks in a premises off the Square when members of the faction with whom they were feuding at the time entered the establishment and 'started at them'.
"They realised there could be trouble so they came out and rang the gardaí, but obviously between making the call and the garda's arrival more had come on the scene," Ms O'Carroll said. She explained that Mr Evans was shouting at the time as he was 'trying to quell' the other side and that his wife had obstructed gardaí because she had not felt it fair they were arresting her husband.
Ms McCarthy since realises that gardaí were not in a position to take on board her complaints, faced with containing the fracas as they were. The feud is no longer ongoing and all parties are now getting along together again, the court heard. Ms O'Carroll said her clients were married and parenting a four-year-old child.
Judge O'Halloran sentenced John Evans to two months' imprisonment and his wife to one month. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
