ELEVEN MEN charged in connection with a feud in Mullingar eight days ago have been released on bail and told to stay away from Dalton Park, the scene of the disturbance which involved up to 200 people.
The public gallery was full as Tullamore District Court heard that gardaí would consent to bail on strict terms but did not require a substantial independent surety.
Judge Gerard Haughton formally remanded each man in custody to appear at the same court on August 18th but granted each defendant bail on his own bond of €300 and a cash lodgement of €300. He imposed 10 conditions.
The men, from Mullingar, Dublin and Navan, aged from 21 to 70, were each ordered not to engage in direct communication with opposing parties except through an agreed mediator. They were also ordered to stay away from the residences of the opposing parties and not to gather in public places in groups of more than three.
They were also bound to reside at specified addresses, to stay away from licensed premises, to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and not to commit any further offences.
Members of the McDonagh family were ordered to sign on at named Garda stations on Mondays and Saturdays and members of the Nevin family to sign on on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Judge Haughton asked each man if he understood the conditions of his bail and asked them to initial each page of the bond. He also told them to remain in court until provided with a copy of the bond, expressing a concern that issues might arise if a breach of the conditions occurred before the men had received their documentation through the post as is usual.
Patrick McDonagh (70) and John McDonagh (33), both Dalton Park, Mullingar; David McDonagh (26) and Michael McDonagh (36), both Reask Court, Navan; Michael McDonagh (24) Northern Close, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, Dublin; John Nevin (25), James Nevin (23) and Christy "Ditsy" Nevin (53), all St Michael's Park, Mullingar; have all been charged under the Public Order Act.
In addition to a public order charge, three men face additional charges. John Nevin (21), Dalton Park, Mullingar, is charged under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act with having a 2ft sword. David Nevin (30), St Michael's Park, Mullingar, and Hugh Nevin (21), Grange Crescent, Mullingar each face a charge of assault.
Supt John Gantly advised the court that one of the defendants, Christy Nevin, had a serious problem with alcohol.
Judge Haughton said that if there was a breach of the bail conditions in any case he would find it very difficult to ignore that to re-release anybody. He advised that it was a matter for Mr Nevin himself to take treatment for his alcohol problem if necessary.
Trish Collins, acting on behalf of Mr Nevin, said that he undertook to abide by the bail conditions.
Judge Haughton told the gardaí that he would be available at any time for a special court should a breach of bail conditions arise, adding there was no necessity to wait for a scheduled sitting.