Ennis couple on trial over alleged six-year harassment of neighbours

A married couple have gone on trial for the harassment of their neighbours over a six-year period.

At Ennis Circuit Court, in his opening speech, counsel for the State, Stephen Coughlan BL, told the jury they will hear evidence of the systematic and continued annoyance and harassment by Martin, 66, and Ann McLoughlin, 64, on their neighbours, Ray and Patricia Crowley.

The McLouglins are each charged with the harassment of their neighbours over a six-year period from October 1, 2006 to March 31, 2012.

Mr Coughlan said Mr McLoughlin also faces two charges of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his neighbour, Raymond Crowley.

Mr Coughlan said regarding the first incident on March 19, 2010, the jury will hear evidence Mr McLoughlin told Mr Crowley: “I will get my lads to beat the shit out of you and bury you in that wall.”

Mr Coughlan said in relation to another incident, Mr McLoughlin is alleged to have told Mr Crowley on September 24, 2011: “Fuck off or I’ll kill you, I will fucking kill you. I will fucking kill you.”

The counsel said on the same date, Mr Crowley saw Mr McLoughlin cutting hedges on Mr Crowley’s property and didn’t have permission to do so.

The McLoughlins of Ballymaconna, Barefield, Ennis deny all charges.

In evidence yesterday, married father of two boys aged 10 and 4, Ray Crowley, 40. told the court he and wife, Patricia intended on building their ‘dream home’ in Barefield on the outskirts of Ennis because it was in the country and near Patricia’s homeplace.

Mr Crowley said they purchased the site in 2004 and secured outline and subsequently full planning permission for the site.

Mr Crowley said: “We loved the location. We wanted the simple life and to go for walks down a country road.”

He said his first contact with Mr McLoughlin was in 2004 where Mr McLoughlin followed them on to the field that contained the site for their home. Mr McLoughlin wasn’t friendly. He said: “He told us how bad the site was and that we shouldn’t buy it.

“My reaction to this was ‘this isn’t right’ and it was none of his business.”

Mr Crowley said they broke ground on the site in October 2006 and he said that a digger broke a black water pipe protruding out of the ground on the edge of the site.

Mr Crowley said Mr McLoughlin arrived at the scene and told him: “That’s strike one. You’ll be sorry for that.”

The trial continues today.