Five men face charges over ‘violent row’ after car-ramming incident

FIVE men became involved in a “violent row” after a car-ramming incident in broad daylight at a busy city roundabout, a court has heard.

The five — Patrick Burke, 28, and Martin Burke, 24, both of 12 Farran Park, Waterford; Patrick Quilligan, 38, of 2 Williamstown Way, Waterford; John Stokes, 48, of Shandon Halting Site, Dungarvan; and William Burke, 25, of The Rock, Bilberry, Waterford — are all accused of committing violent disorder at Kingsmeadow, Cork Road, Waterford, on September 9, 2008.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial got under way yesterday at Waterford Circuit Court.

Patrick Burke also denies assault, criminal damage and illegal possession of a Stanley knife; Martin Burke denies assault and possession of a knife; Quilligan denies assault and illegal possession of a hatchet; and Stokes denies illegal possession of a “long implement” which could have been used as an offensive weapon.

Opening the case, Noel Whelan BL, prosecuting, said the incidents happened at about 12.15pm, at the roundabout close to the Waterford Regional Sports Centre in the city.

Two alleged injured parties — John Connors and Patrick Stokes — left the social welfare office on the Cork Road and were travelling in a blue Toyota car when they passed members of the Burke family going in the opposite direction, in a blue Hiace van and a grey Toyota Corolla.

The Burke cars “turned around and followed John Connors and Patrick Stokes,” Mr Whelan said.

When they got to the roundabout, Mr Connors’s and Mr Stokes’s car was “rammed strongly” by the grey Toyota, to the extent that it was pushed into a car being driven by a passer-by.

The occupants of the grey Toyota and the blue Hiace then got out and “engaged in a violent attack” on John Connors and Patrick Stokes. One of the allegations was that Patrick Burke was in possession of a Stanley knife and that he broke the window of John Connors’ car.

The trial resumes today.