Judge refuses to alter bail conditions for Mayo brothers
Judge Fiona Lydon said she was not willing to alter the bail conditions.
Two brothers who are alleged to be involved in a criminal feud with a rival gang in Galway have failed in a bid to have the terms of their bail amended.
Colman Barrett, aged 19, and James Barrett, aged 25, of Lough Mask Rd, Ballinrobe applied at Castlebar District Court to have their bail conditions altered so they could move back to Ballinrobe.
During a previous hearing last June, the two men and a third sibling, Christopher, had been ordered to leave their home in Ballinrobe and live with relatives in other parts of the country. They were also told not to set foot in counties Mayo or Galway pending their trial.
The trio, who were before the court on charges of assault, production of offensive weapons, and public order offences, were also directed to observe a curfew, have no contact with any of the rival gang members or their families, and sign on daily at a garda station.
In August, Christopher Barrett, a father of three young children, was granted amended bail terms by Judge Gerard Furlong and allowed to return to Ballinrobe. Colman and James Barrett sought similar amendments at Castlebar District Court last week.
“Colman has to stay out of the entire county so essentially he has not been living with his family,” the brothers' barrister Donal O’Callaghan explained. “What is very strange about the situation is that the other side of this alleged feud is allowed to stay in their family home in Co Galway."
Mr O’Callaghan said one of the conditions of the bail for the other parties was that they would not visit Co Mayo. Consequently, there could be no risk of any altercation if both sides agreed to stay in their respective counties.
“Christopher has been allowed back to the family home and there have not been any issues,” he added.
The court heard that Colman and James Barrett are living in the south of the country.
Colman Barrett told Judge Fiona Lydon that his parents are getting old and he and his brother want to return home to assist them.
However, Sgt Helena Hastings said Gardaí were opposed to the application.
“Since the conditions were imposed there have been no incidents in Ballinrobe so we would like the conditions to remain,” she added.
Noting the Garda objection, Judge Lydon said she was unwilling to alter the original terms of the bail.
