Longford violent disorder defendants bound to the peace

Three defendants who engaged in a violent altercation in a Ballinalee housing estate were bound to the peace for two years at Longford District Court.

Albert Little (35) of 6 Greville Court, Granard, Longford, Sean Flynn (53) of 13 Shantobar, Ballinalee Longford and Eva Little (38) of 99 Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, Longford were charged in connection with a public order incident on April 15, 2022 at St John Housing Estate, Ballinalee, Longford.

Albert Little was charged with producing a three foot length of builders lumber in the course of a violent disorder dispute, resisting a peace officer in the execution of his duty, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour, and committing violent disorder.

Sean Flynn was charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour, producing an article, obstructing an officer executing his duty, and violent disorder.

Eva Little was charged with obstructing a Garda executing his duty and violent disorder.

Charges of public intoxication against each of the defendants were struck out.

Sergeant Mark Mahon outlined details of the incident before Judge Bernadette Owens accepted jurisdiction. Sgt Mahon said that on Friday April 15 at 9:50pm Longford Gardí received a call regarding a disturbance at the St John Housing Estate, Ballinalee, Longford.

The caller said two males and a female were causing a commotion in the area. A dispute at a house in the St John's Estate spilled out to the entrance of the estate. When the officers arrived they saw three individuals threatening violence against another group of people.

Video footage taken on a phone, shown in court, captured one defendant brandishing a stick.

Sgt Mahon said the officers spoke to those involved and disarmed and arrested Albert Little. As the officers attempted to do so Sean Flynn intervened and attempted to prevent the arrest. Mr Flynn was then arrested and at this stage Eva Little intervened and attempted to prevent the arrest of Mr Flynn.

Sgt Mahon said the parties were intoxicated. Sean Flynn and Albert Little were arrested and brought to Longford Garda station.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client, Albert Little, believed the defendants charged were not the only offenders on the evening. Mr Gearty said any charge of violent disorder should include other parties identified on the video footage.

Mr Gearty said: “This video is the tail end of an an altercation and the aftermath of an assault.”

Solicitor John Quinn, representing Eva Little and Sean Flynn, said he supported the submission of his colleague. “What brought this exchange about was a number of young men who had taken off their tops and were shouting abuse at Eve Little,” Mr Quinn said.

When the judge accepted jurisdiction Sgt Mahon suggested that subject to court approval, and with the approval of the superintendent, “It may be in everyone's interest to have the defendants bound to the peace.”

Judge Owens said a peace bond may encourage the defendants “not to engage in the ugly scenes seen on the CCTV”. The judge asked the legal representatives: “Do the parties realise what is involved?”

Mr Gearty replied: “It would be helpful if you spelled it out.”

Judge Owens outlined: “You will be bound to the peace for two years and be of good behaviour in that time. You have given a sworn undertaking, a solemn promise to the court. If you break that promise you will be in contempt of court and that will have serious consequences.”

Mr Gearty thanked the judge on behalf of his client for the conciseness of her description: “He is not a scholar and I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it like that.”

Each of the defendants entered a bond of €200 to be of good behaviour and not breach the peace for the next two years.