7 men avoid jail after two-part brawl

Seven men pleaded guilty yesterday to their involvement in a two-part brawl after a house party in Carrigaline, Co Cork, last year.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed suspended jail terms on four of the accused for their threatening behaviour.

Three others, with no previous convictions, were told they would avoid a first conviction on payment of a contribution to charity.

However, the judge warned all seven: “If this kind of thing goes on again in Carrigaline or anywhere else — taking on the guards like that — everyone of you is at risk of prison. Have no doubt about it.”

Gda Tom Delaney said all of the accused were at a house party in the Highfields estate, Carrigaline.

Shortly before 4am, there was a row at the party which spilled out on to the road.

Gda Delaney and Gda Philip Moore arrived at the scene and saw all seven and others fighting on the road. They managed to intervene and break up the fight.

At that stage, some of those involved went back into the party. Someone else and banged on the door and demanded they come out again. Before long, all parties were back on the road again in what Gda Delaney described as “round two”.

Gardaí called for back-up, and patrol cars arrived from Douglas and Togher Garda stations. However, before they arrived, Garda Delaney and Garda Moore had broken up the second disturbance using pepper spray.

Garda Delaney said his main concern was someone might be seriously hurt.

“They are all nice fellas. If I meet them when they are sober they are grand. It was just the demon drink,” said Garda Delaney.

All defendants pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour.

Patrick Deady, aged 27, of 43 Liosbourne, and Paul Kennedy, aged 23, of 52 Ard Na Rí, got two-month suspended terms. Paul O’Farrell, aged 23, of 15 Liosbourne, and Christopher Ahern, aged 23, of 30 Woodview, got three-month suspended terms.

The other three — Alex Darrer, aged 24, of 4 Liosbourne; Reuben O’Brien, aged 24, formerly of Highfields, Ballea Rd, and now of Ballincollig, and Jeffrey Green, aged 25, of Ballincollig — had to make contributions of between €500 and €750 to Marymount Hospice to have the threatening charge dismissed under the Probation Act.