Traveller-feud teen fails in bail bid

A 15-year-old schoolboy who has been charged along with his father and uncle over an outbreak of tit-for-tat violence linked to a Traveller family feud was again refused bail today.

The feud in north Dublin has seen retaliatory attacks, homes vandalised, a stabbing and a shooting, the Children’s Court has heard.

The boy has been charged with engaging in violent disorder, possession and production of a knife during a dispute, at Ballymun Garda station, on Monday, October 13.

The court has been told that up to nine people including the defendant arrived at the Garda station where a group from the rival family were making a complaint.

“They were armed with metal poles, knives, hatchets and slash-hooks and attacked the group outside the station,” Sergeant Oliver Henry had said.

The teenager had been remanded in custody on Tuesday last. Gardaí had objected to bail saying attempts at mediation between the rival factions had failed and neither side was “intent on a peaceful resolution.”

Sergeant Henry said there was not “adequate parental supervision” to prevent the teen being involved in further feud related activities.

Today, a second bail application was made before Judge Bryan Smyth.

Defence solicitor Ms Sarah Molloy said most of the people allegedly involved in the incidents have been remanded in custody and mediation efforts were being made.

She said the teenager could reside with an aunt who would supervise him ensure he went to school. The boy’s caravan home was wrecked during the troubles between the feuding families and his mother was currently ill in hospital.

She also said the teenager would obey bail conditions banning him from certain areas and from associating with individuals believed to be involved in the feud.

There was a sustained Garda objection to bail in light of the seriousness of the allegations and a belief that “there will be retaliations; all of this has been tit-for-tat retaliation.”

A garda told Judge Smyth that it was believed that if granted bail the boy “would be brought back into the middle of it again.”

Judge Smyth refused bail and further remanded the teenager in custody for two weeks pending directions from the DPP.

The court had been told the feud dated back to the year 2000 but had mostly calmed down. However, the conflict resumed on Thursday last week and has led to a number of homes being vandalised, a man stabbed and firearms being used in incidents currently under investigation.

Gardaí have increased their presence in the areas in where both sides of the feud reside, in the Finglas and Ballymun areas.

The teenager’s father, who is in his 40s, had charged with violent disorder and possessing a knife, and had been remanded in custody earlier this week as was his uncle, also in his forties, who was charged with violent disorder, assault and criminal damage.