Trial of four Longford men charged with violent disorder to be heard early next year
The quartet are charged in connection with an alleged Traveller feud
Four men charged in connection with violent disorder will return before the Longford Circuit Court in January with their trial expected to be held in the early part of 2025.
Defendant Denis Hannafin, of Curry, Athlone Rd, Longford appeared via video link for the hearing at Longford Circuit Court. The defendant was represented by his solicitor due to the withdrawal of services by the barrister.
Judge Kenneth Connolly said that the matter was to be dealt with as part of a special sitting of a judge scheduled to sit in Longford in the early part of 2025.
The judge said it was a priority to get the trial up and running at that time. The four Longford men are charged in connection with an alleged Traveller feud.
Patrick Hannifin of The Red Brick House, Dublin Road, Longford, Robbie Hannafin, Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Longford, Thomas Hannafin, Dublin Road, Longford and Denis Hannafin are all charged with engaging in violent disorder.
The defendants are also charged with allegedly carrying out Section 3 assaults on members of the McGinley family at The Holy Family Church, Merview, Galway on January 13, 2019. Robert Hannifin faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm arising from the incident.
Judge Connolly remanded the defendants to return before Longford Circuit Court on January 14 on the terms already set out.