Five men have appeared in court charged with engaging in violent disorder at a charity kickboxing event at a Shannon hotel 18 months ago.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, four of the men are accused of using chairs as weapons at the late night ‘Fight Night’ event at the Oakwood Hotel in Shannon on November 17th 2018.
Video footage of the alleged brawl on the Saturday night was posted on social media soon after.
In total, eight people are accused of engaging in violent disorder and five appeared before court today and a further three are due to appear before court at a later date.
Sgt Aiden Lonergan told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that the case go forward to the circuit court and he was seeking an adjournment for the preparation of a Book of Evidence.
In the case, Thomas McDonagh (19) of Ballymurtagh Cross, Shannon, Bernard McDonagh (27) of St Helen’s Park, Ballymurtagh, Shannon, John McDonagh (21) of Ballymurtagh Cross, Shannon, Martin McDonagh (20) of St Helen’s Park, Shannon and Patrick McDonagh (24) of St Helen’s Park, Ballymurtagh, Shannon are each charged with engaging in violent disorder at the Oakwood hotel on November 17th 2018 where they are each accused of using or threatening to use unlawful violence.
Any person convicted of violent disorder in the circuit court faces a jail term up of 10 years.
Thomas McDonagh, John McDonagh, Martin McDonagh and Patrick McDonagh are each accused of producing chairs during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act on the night.
John McDonagh is also charged with producing a glass bottle and Martin McDonagh is charged with producing a pint glass during the course of a dispute contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
Bernard McDonagh is also charged with assault causing harm to David McDonagh on the night.
Bernard McDonagh was the only one of the accused to appear in person today and solicitor for the accused, Daragh Hassett also appeared on behalf of the other four.
Mr Hassett told the court that the other four accused are currently out of the jurisdiction and are returning back.
Mr Hassett stated that he had flagged this to the Gardai and the Gardai are not seeking the issue of a warrant against the four.
Judge Patrick Durcan remanded all five men on continuing bail to appear before Ennis District Court on June 17th for the serving of the Book of Evidence.
