Mother and son were armed with shovel and rifle during row over gorse fire in West Cork

The court heard there was a history of ongoing issues between the mother and the neighbours who were friends with her ex-partner

The mother had told gardaí: “My boundary was on fire. I live in fear. The fact that there is continued interference with my boundary. I had a deep suspicion they were involved in setting fire to my boundary."

A mother and son who believed that neighbours had started a gorse fire damaging their boundary decided to drive to their house in West Cork on that Sunday afternoon armed with a shovel and a lever action rifle.

Mary Noonan of Moneglea, Dunmanway, County Cork, pleaded guilty to production of a shovel during the incident and possession of a .22 lever action rifle without a certificate. Her adult son Oisín Noonan pleaded guilty to the single count of having the rifle without a certificate.

Garda Martin Hanley testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the events occurred on Sunday, March 29, 2019. “Mary and Oisín Noonan were of the view that the Coakley family started a gorse fire on their land.

“The Noonans called to an elderly neighbour to borrow a firearm, saying they needed it to shoot some vermin on their land. The elderly gentleman gave them the firearm. They asked for a demonstration of the use of the rifle. They then took possession of the rifle and ammunition and they drove to Derryleigh, Inchigeelagh, the home of the Coakley family, who they (the Noonans) believed were behind the gorse fire on their lands.

“They arrived at the Coakley household. They were very argumentative. They were looking for members of the Coakley family.

“Mary Noonan got out of the car with the shovel. Oisín Noonan had the rifle. A scuffle ensued and the rifle was taken off Oisín Noonan. While he was taking possession of the rifle, (one of the Coakley family) was hit on the head with the shovel,” Garda Hanley said.

Mary Noonan later told gardaí there was a history of ongoing issues between herself and the Coakleys and that the Coakley family were friends with her ex-partner, Jimmy McCarthy.

She later told gardaí: 

My boundary was on fire. I live in fear. The fact that there is continued interference with my boundary. I had a deep suspicion they were involved in setting fire to my boundary. 

"I decided to take my oldest son with me up to the Coakley house. I regret taking this gun. I said I would confront them for once and for all… They were continually interfering with my land.” 

Defence senior counsel, James O’Mahony, said on behalf of Mary Noonan that as well as the boundary of her land being on fire as a result of the gorse fire, someone had spray-painted the words, ‘Mary RIP’ on a pallet on her land in blue paint.

Mr O’Mahony SC said of Ms Noonan: “She got a bit of a beating—she got a black eye in the incident.” Garda Hanley confirmed: “I believe so, yes.”

Garda involvement

Mr O’Mahony went into further details about difficulties she had with her former husband, Jimmy McCarthy, and his friendship with the Coakleys. Judge James McCourt interjected: “There is one simple question—why did she not called the police?” 

Mr O’Mahony replied: “Of course, yes, Judge. She should not have done it the way she did. She acknowledges that.” 

Judge McCourt said to Mr O’Mahony: “I don’t think anyone takes issue with what you say but the guardians of the peace are there for a reason.” Mr O’Mahony, said: “That is so. Unfortunately, this lady has been in and out to the guards over the years. She had numerous problems and (on this occasion) she did something reprehensible.” 

The defence senior counsel said that she is in her early 40s and very hardworking.

Jane Hyland senior counsel for Oisín Noonan said there was a very positive probation report putting him at very low risk of re-offending. “He was trying to support his family as best he could on the day,” Ms Hyland said.

Judge McCourt imposed a nine-month suspended sentence on Oisín Noonan and a 12-month suspended sentence on Mary Noonan. He said Ms Noonan was “the prime instigator in this mischief, criminality”. The judge warned that “people cannot be going around brandishing guns.

Judge McCourt said that while a lot was said in relation to the Coakley family: “I have no evidence of any wrongdoing by them.” He repeated that the Noonans should have made any complaint they had to An Garda Síochána.