Gardaí charge fifth man in connection with Charleville feud investigation

Paddy O’Driscoll was charged with causing criminal damage and possession of a slash hook

The court heard an objection to bail from Detective Garda Gary Costelloe, who raised concerns about the possibility of intimidation of witnesses in the case, as well as the seriousness of the charges. File picture: Denis Minihane

An 18-year-old man has appeared in court in Cork on Friday morning on charges arising from a garda investigation into a feud in Charleville.

Paddy O’Driscoll, with an address at 2 Rosewood Drive, Charleville, was charged with causing criminal damage to a door and window of a house at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, on January 8, and possession of a slash hook on the same occasion.

The court heard an objection to bail from Detective Garda Gary Costelloe, who raised concerns about the possibility of intimidation of witnesses in the case, as well as the seriousness of the charges. He said that the level of aggression and violence has escalated between two sides in the feud, which he said was between two families — the O’Driscolls and the O’Neills.

Defence solicitor Matthew Bermingham told the court that “the feud, I believe, is at an end”. He told the court that his client lives at home with his parents.

Mr Bermingham said he had just been “informed and instructed” that this was the case. However, Detective Sergeant Costello said he found that hard to believe.

He said Mr O’Driscoll gave no reply when charged with the offences at Mallow garda station on Thursday evening. He has been remanded in custody to appear before Fermoy district court next Friday, January 19.

Mr O’Driscoll’s appearance at Fermoy District Court follows the appearance of four other men before Midleton District Court on Thursday evening in relation to the same feud.

Four other men charged

John Meehan, 23, of 7 Corrin View, Ballyhea, Charleville, was charged with possession of a slash hook and criminal damage on January 8, at Batt Donegan Place, Charleville. He was also charged with criminal damage, having allegedly damaged a front door and window of a house on that date and at that address.

Mark O’Neill, 43, of 46 Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, Co Cork, was charged with criminal damage on January 4, at Ballysallagh, Charleville.

Davey O’Neill, 19, of 46 Batt Donegan Place, Charleville, was charged with damaging property on January 3 at Ballysallagh, Charleville. He was also charged with making a threat to a man at Gough’s Pub, Main St, Charleville, to damage property, on March 5 last year.

Sonny O’Neill, 45, of 16 St Brendan’s Drive, Charleville, was also charged with criminal damage.

The O’Neills were released on bail and are due before Mallow District Court on January 16. Mr Meehan was remanded in custody and will be brought before Mallow District Court on January 23.