Praise for swift garda action in ending neighbours’ row

A judge has commended the “swift action” of the gardaí in preventing an altercation escalating further between neighbours.

Judge Brian Sheridan described the incident as an unfortunate one that had “happened on the spur of the moment”.

It occurred at An Fana, Cúl Ard, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, on Sept 5, 2011, and involved five people from two families.

They were Humphrey Porter Jr, aged 36, of Springhill, Carrigtwohill, his brother Christian Porter, aged 29, of 2 An Fana, Cúl Ard, and their father, Humphrey Porter Sr, aged 67, along with Jason Waters, aged 36, and his wife Lisa, aged 35, of 3 An Fana.

They were charged with offences, including assault.

Yesterday at Midleton District Court, all five avoided criminal convictions after Judge Sheridan said he was going to apply the Probation Act.

He was satisfied, however, a case had been made against “all parties equally”.

“Nobody comes out of this situation unblemished. That is very clear.

“Mrs Lisa Waters in my view did not act appropriately in the circumstances and the other parties did not respond appropriately. This was a cumulative matter.”

“I have to commend the gardaí for their swift action — preventing it from escalating,” he said.

The judge applied the Probation Act on condition all parties would enter a peace bond of €1,000 each and agree to be of good behaviour for two years.

He ordered the parties to make a contribution of €250 each to the poor box which, he said, would be used specifically for the benefit of Carrigtwohill.

Judge Sheridan said he was taking into account the fact the people involved were neighbours and would have to live together in the future.