A JUDGE has asked that Gardaí investigate if there is “spleen” between two men who were involved in an altercation on All-Ireland evening on some Ahascragh farmland.
The Judge also asked who won the All-Ireland and prosecuting Garda Sgt Christy Brown replied that it certainly wasn’t Galway.
Judge James Faughnan made his request for more information regarding any “spleen” between the two men when the case came before Ballinasloe District Court
The Court heard that Gerry Mulkerrins entered the lands of Peter Dunne, Urraghry, Aughrim, Ballinasloe late on the evening in question. These lands adjoined Mulkerrins’ property and he went there to remonstrate with Dunne for using farm machinery at an unsociable hour.
There was an altercation between the two men.
Peter Dunne, in sworn evidence, said he lived three miles away from the land in question. He had been working with his son and a helper on the day in question, bringing in bales. It was the Sunday of the All-Ireland and they took two hours off to watch the match before returning to their work.
He said Mulkerrins arrived at 10.40pm and shone a light in the faces of his son and the helper. There was some pushing and shoving and Dunne fell against the tractor. His son contacted the Guards.
He made allegations that a boundary fence had been demolished at some stage and he had contacted Ballinasloe Gardaí six or seven time to ask them to come out and deal with issues relating to his land, but they had refused to do so.
He added that Mulkerrins was shouting on the night and had alcohol consumed.
Garda Sgt Christy Brown reminded Dunne that he was the accused in this case and alcohol was a matter of opinion, not fact. He put it to Dunne that Mulkerrins alleged he had been kicked in the testicles during the altercation. This Dunne denied.
Judge Faughnan decided that he wanted to know more about any “spleen” between the two men and adjourned the case for a full hearing on June 25. In the meantime he asked Gardaí to make inquiries in this regard.
