Chimney sweep rods and claw hammer produced during alleged violent row in the Midlands

Two women and a man have appeared in court charged in connection to an alleged violent row in Edgeworthstown last year during which chimney sweep rods and a claw hammer were produced.

Justin and Aisling McCleary, both of Goshen, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford and Michaela Liddy, 40 Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford came before a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday to face charges of violent disorder and the production of articles during the course of a dispute.

Both Justin and Aisling McCleary were charged with producing chimney sweep rods as a result of the incident while Ms Liddy was charged with allegedly producing a clawhammer.

The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented for the case to be heard at District Court level on the basis of all three tendering guilty pleas.

Defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh, in representing both Justin and Aisling McCleary, indicated she would not be in a position to proceed with the case until all statements and evidence relating to the alleged incident had been fully disclosed.

“We got a precis of evidence but that is all we got,” she said.

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Sgt Enda Daly, for the prosecution, said he was of a similar view, adding: “I agree with Ms Mimnagh, she wouldn’t be able to proceed until she sees it.”

It was at that juncture, Frank Gearty, for Micheala Liddy interjected and said CCTV footage would likely play a significant role in determining what direction the case took.

“There’s a very good film of the alleged incident,” he said, indicating Ms Liddy would be pleading guilty.

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Judge Bernadette Owens, on that basis, said she would adjourn the case for three weeks to allow time for the defence teams of the three accused to determine what way they intended pleading.

She also indicated that on that date the court would rule on ‘jurisdiction’ as to whether the case could be disposed of within the parameters of the District Court or higher Circuit Court where the penalties are more severe.

In the midst of that ruling, Ms Mimnagh said it had been brought to her attention certain “comments” may have been made sometime earlier by Ms Liddy, remarks she said her clients wished to refute.

Listening on, Mr Gearty first questioned whether the purported comments had been made within the courtroom, insisting there was no basis for the allegation.

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“I wish to register my protest,” he said. “There was no such situation.”

In a bid to diffuse the difference of opinion between both solicitors, Judge Owens said the court would be keeping a strictly impartial view on the matter.

“Clearly there are issues here and I don’t want to inflame them by making it any worse,” she said.

All three were remanded on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on July 25.