Four men have appeared in a Cork court charged with damaging houses and cars following a Garda probe into a feud between two rival families in Charleville.
The men appeared before Midleton District Court today. (Thursday) Det Garda Gary Costello told Judge Colm Roberts that a feud has broken out between the O’Driscoll and the O’Neill families in Charleville. He claimed that the rivalry has been ongoing for about six weeks.
Det Garda Costello expressed concern that the dispute would escalate and that further offences would be carried out. He spoke of his fears relating to the situation as he objected to the granting of bail to John Meehan (23) whose mother has a maiden name of O'Driscoll.
He claimed that Mr Meehan of Corrin View, Ballyhea, Co Cork was involved in the feud between the two families. Det Garda Costello said the feud had involved “multiple incidents of criminal damage.”
“The level of violence has escalated and there is a risk of somebody suffering serious bodily harm if it continues.”
Mr Meehan was charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window of the house of Mr Mark O Neill at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville on January 8th. He was also charged with possession of a slash hook on the same date.
Defence solicitor, Charlie O’Connor said that his client vehemently denied any involvement in a feud. He also denied having any role in alleged offences.
However, Det Garda Costello said that Gardaí were objecting to bail arising out of the gravity of the charge and the strength of the evidence in the case.
Mr Meehan insisted that he had "nothing at all to do with it” (the alleged offences). However, Judge Roberts said he was satisfied that garda concerns about an intensification of the feud were well grounded.
He remanded Mr Meehan in custody to appear at Mallow District Court on January 16th.
Meanwhile, Sonny O’Neill of St Brendan’s Drive, Charleville and Mark O’Neill of Batt Donegan Place, Charleville were each charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysalagh in Charleville on January 4th.
Det Garda Paul O’Shea said Sonny O’Neill (45) made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution. Det Garda Brendan Dunne said Mark O’Neill (43) insisted that it “never happened” when the charge was put to him after caution.
Mark O’Neill’s teenage son Davey of Batt Donegan Place was charged with causing criminal damage to a car at Ballysallagh on January 3rd. He was also charged with making a threat at Goughs Pub, Main Street Charleville.
Garda Tracey Gleeson gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Davey O’Neill. She said that the 19 year old made no reply to either charge when they were put to him following a caution.
Judge Roberts granted Sonny O’Neill bail with stringent conditions attached. Mr O'Neill was ordered to sign on daily at Charleville Garda Station, abide by a curfew and to have no contact direct or indirect with the injured party in the case. He was also ordered to stay off social media, to maintain his sobriety and to be available to gardai around the clock on his mobile phone.
Judge Roberts also granted Mark O’Neill and Davey O’Neill bail on similar conditions. He remanded the three O'Neill men to appear at Mallow District Court on January 23rd next. All four men were granted free legal aid.
