Longford District Court: Female trio to stand trial over Penneys ‘feud’ row

Three women are to stand trial in connection to a violent brawl inside a department store in Longford town last year after the State re-entered the case nine months after the charges were struck out.

The trio, Teresa Dinnegan (36) of Grian Ard, Longford, Cindy Duignan (39) of Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford and Annalise Power (26) of The Hollows, Farnagh Hill, Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court last Tuesday week following an incident at Penneys, Longford Shopping Centre on March 16, 2022.

The case had been struck out last December by presiding Judge Bernadette Owens on foot of delays in obtaining directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The court, at the time, heard there was "no reason" as to why directions had not been furnished, prompting Judge Owens to strike out the case on foot of a request by a defence solicitor for one one of the accused.

However, the court was told the State was now re-entering the case with Sgt Enda Daly informing Judge Owens that all three were being sent forward to stand trial.

Ms Dinnegan and Ms Duignan, who are sisters, were charged with assault causing harm to Ms Power and violent disorder with the former also being charged with producing a glass cased candle stick during the course of a dispute.

Their co-accused, Ms Power, was charged with assault causing harm to Ms Dinnegan, violent disorder and producing a knife during the same incident.

Sgt Daly said the DPP had consented to all three women being sent forward on a signed plea "should that arise" in due course.

All three were initially charged with assault causing harm following the unruly row which took place in front of shocked customers and staff.

One of the accused, Ms Dinnegan, courted controversy in June after the court agreed to relax her bail terms to allow her to fly to Turkey to undergo cosmetic dental surgery while on free legal aid.

The court had previously heard the alleged incident stemmed from an alleged ongoing feud between rivalling factions in Longford town.

Legal aid was granted to Ms Dinnegan and Ms Power, owing to both women currently being out of work.

A similar application for Ms Duignan was reserved to allow for a statement of means to be handed into the court.

All three were remanded on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 3 when books of evidence are expected to be served on each of the accused.