FIVE LONGFORD men were part of a group of 20 who ambushed a wedding party with a gun, pitchforks and sticks, the jury at their trial for violent disorder and assault has heard.
They were allegedly part of a group who forced a car to turn around before breaking its windows, assaulting the driver and his wife and shooting one of their sons who was a passenger.
William McGinley (66), Shroid; Denis McGinley (44), Woodlands, Abbeycartron; Tommy McGinley (26), Palace Drive, Ardnacasa; and Patrick (62) and Robert Hannafin (33), both of Dublin Road, Longford town, have pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at Dublin Road on August 30th, 2006.
Denis McGinley also denies assault causing harm to Therese Nevin, while William McGinley and Robert Hannafin have further pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Hugh Nevin.
Prosecuting counsel Éanna Mulloy SC told the jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday that Mr Nevin was driving to the wedding in Longford town of Bernadette Nevin and Jason Nevin. Mr Nevin’s wife, Therese, was in the passenger seat with her grandchild on her lap.
Mr Mulloy said the family was driving through the area where several of the accused lived. They drove on but were overtaken by a white four-wheel drive as a man hung out the window carrying “a long gun”. Mr Mulloy said this caused Mr Nevin to do a U-turn.
Mr Mulloy said between 15 and 20 men appeared and began attacking the car with pitchforks and sticks, breaking the windows and hitting Mr and Mrs Nevin about the face and body. He said their son, John Joe Nevin, was sprayed with pellets in the arm and received other wounds.
Mr Mulloy said the jury would hear that those in the Nevin car following behind observed William McGinley assault Hugh Nevin. Mr Nevin got help at a hostel several miles down the road.
The trial continues.