Four men appear in court on charges of violent disorder in Tullamore

Four men appeared separately by video link from prison at last week's district court in connection with an incident in Tullamore on March 21 last.

Brothers, Sean (25) Michael (30) and Richard Ward (27) along with Arthur McDonagh (21) with addresses at Kilcruttin Halting site, Tullamore are each charged with violent disorder at Tullamore Hospital on the above date in that they used or threatened to use unlawful violence.

Each one had been remanded in custody with consent to bail for two weeks to April 9, next.

Ann McDonagh, the mother of Arthur McDonagh had agreed to go surety for her son. The court heard there was €2,500 in her bank account. Judge Andrew Cody noted that her bank statement showed just €400 in her account the day before and now he said there was €2,500 there. He said he had to be satisfied that it was her money and asked her where she got it from? He was told it was social welfare from February 19 and it had been lodged the day before.

Judge Cody told Mrs McDonagh that the money will now be frozen in her account and she will forfeit it if her son breaks any conditions of bail.

Laurence Ward the father of Sean, Michael and Richard Ward had also lodged a sum of money in his bank account as surety. In the case of his sons surety was €5,000 each to include a cash lodgement of €2,500 for each son.

Judge Cody asked Mr Ward where he got the money, saying that ''as of yesterday there was only €70 in the bank now there is €7,500.'' Mr Ward replied that he had sold a van a couple of months ago but didn't put the money in the bank. However he said he couldn't recall who he sold the van to and he had forgotten the registration number. He had no receipt or proof of sale. Judge Cody refused the application for bail, adding that Mr Ward must satisfy the court that it is his. Let him tell the gardai the name of the purchaser and the registration number, said Judge Cody.

At the afternoon sitting of the district court Judge Cody accepted an application for bail for the Ward brothers on the surety of another man named Tom Keegan. Mr Keegan said he had worked for Coillte and the money was from his job.

Judge Cody asked Mr Keegan if he was aware that the sum required was €15,000 and that would be frozen in his account and if any of the defendants defaulted on the terms of their bail such as staying out past their curfew then he would forfeit the money and his €15,000 is gone.

Mr Keegan said he was aware. The men will appear in court again on April 9 next.

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