Five Ballina men plead guilty to public order breaches
Judge Eoin Garavan said he would not be willing to finalise the case of the fifth man until he returns to the jurisdiction.
Five men have been charged with public order offences arising out of an incident in Ballina almost seven years ago.
Martin Delaney Snr, aged 53, of 73 St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina; Martin Delaney Jnr, aged 25, of 44 Head Street, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh; Jason Delaney, aged 45, of 7 St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina and Martin Collins, aged 35, of 17 Fenian Row, Ballina, all pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to using threatening or abusive language on January 30, 2017.
A fifth man, Michael Delaney, also of 7 St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina, previously pleaded guilty via a remote arraignment. He is currently living in the United States.
Gda Francis Carter told the court that he was on patrol with a colleague in Ballina at 12.15am on January 30, 2017, when they observed a group gathered outside Emmet’s Bar on Hill Street.
Half an hour later, they were called to the home of Michael Delaney and spoke to his wife who said the windows of their house had been smashed. The gardaí then heard shouting from an area behind the house. They found a group of about 30 or 40 people gathered in that area, including some of the accused. Most of the group dispersed when the gardaí arrived.
Gda Carter then returned to Michael Delaney’s house and noted that he had an injury to the back of his head.
Prosecuting barrister Patrick Reynolds said a number of allegations were made between the different families involved in this matter and the defendants were also witnesses for the prosecution. He said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that all the men involved would be charged with using threatening or abusive language.
The court heard that Martin Delaney Snr has five previous convictions, Jason Delaney has eight previous convictions and Martin Collins has four previous convictions. Martin Delaney Jnr has no previous convictions,
Judge Eoin Garavan said did not intend to finalise the case of Michael Delaney until he was back in the jurisdiction. Mr Reynolds said a bench warrant remains active for the defendant.
Judge Garavan imposed a fines of €400 each on Martin Delaney Snr, Jason Delaney and Martin Collins. In the case of Martin Delaney Jnr, said he would be willing to apply the Probation Act on account of Delaney having no previous convictions.
