Three members of an Ennis Family have been jailed for what was described an "outrageous" act of "mayhem" in the town last year arising from an ongoing traveller feud.
Bernard McDonagh Senior, his son Bernie McDonagh Junior and his brother Christopher McDonagh were before the Cicuit Court on a number of charges arising from a violent incident at the Maid of Erin Roundabout last October.
Ennis Circuit Court heard that 46-year old Bernard McDonagh Senior, of Cork and formerly of Ashline, Ennis drove around the Maid of Erin roundabout 10 times against traffic before ramming a stationary patrol car and driving at Gardai on October 14th last.
Two gardai who were on duty at the time told the court they feared serious injury or death and are still suffering for physical and psychological injuries as a result.
Minutes after he was arrested, Mr. McDonagh’s son Bernie McDonagh Jnr, and his 37-year old brother Christopher McDonagh arrived in a van that broke a Garda cordon, and attacked members of the Doherty family with a Stanley knife, an iron bar and a hatchet – with one man received 11 wounds across the face and back.
Today Judge Gerald Keyes ruled that Bernaard McDonagh Senior had started the incident in retaliation for an alleged assault on a member of his family at a wedding days earlier, but he said he had "no right to act above the law".
He sentenced the father of ten to a total of four years in prison for damage caused to three vehicles including a garda car, endangerment and wreckless driving causing risk of death or injury to others.
His son 21 year old Bernard McDonagh Junior, a married father of one, also received sentences totaling 4 years in prison for "viciously assaulting John Doherty" with a stanley knife, using weapons and unlawful violence, while 37 year old Christopher McDonagh of Childers Road, Ennis was given a 2 year sentence with 8 months suspended for his part in the violent row.
The McDonaghs were ordered to refrain from future contact with the Doherty Family, as Judge Keyes said he was sending a clear message to the public that this "constant feuding must stop".
