Fifth Longford man walks free

A fifth Longford man has walked free after being acquitted by a jury of committing violent disorder arising out of an ambush by an armed group on a wedding party and the shooting of two passengers in a car.

Robert Hannafin (aged 33), of Dublin Road, Longford was found not guilty by a juryafter less than 40 minutes of deliberation on day-eight of the trial.

Judge Rory MacCabe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court told him he was discharged and free to go.

He had denied committing violent disorder with other people at Dublin Road Longford on August 30, 2006.

Four other Longford men had earlier also walked free from the court during their trial on the same charge.

Denis McGinley (aged 44) of Woodlands, Abbeycartron and Patrick Hannafin (62) of Dublin Road, Longford walked free on Monday after Judge MacCabe ruled that there was insufficient evidence against them.

Tommy McGinley (aged 26) of Palace Drive, Longford and William McGinley (aged 66) of Shroid had the charges against them dropped after prosecuting counsel, Mr Eanna Mulloy SC (with Mr Desmond Dockery BL), entered a nolle prosequi in their cases last Friday and yesterday / on Tuesday, respectively, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecution

Tommy McGinley pleaded guilty to knowingly making a false report to gardai that he had received a threat and that his property had been damaged, on the same date, a charge he had denied originally.

Judge MacCabe remanded him on bail for sentence on this charge next February.

Charges of assault causing bodily harm on the same occasion against Denis McGinley in relation to Ms Therese Nevin, and William McGinley and Robert Hannafin in relation to Mr Hugh Nevin, were also withdrawn from the jury.

The jury of seven men and four women was thanked by Judge MacCabe for its care and attention to the case.