A BAR and nightclub owner from the village of Camolin, Co Wexford, drove his car towards the local parish priest in an attempt to knock him from his bicycle in June 1995, Gorey District Court was told yesterday.
Judge Donnchadh O Buachalla heard evidence that Father James Curtis was left shaking on June 14th, 1995, when Mr Patrick Lambert, of Main Street, Camolin, twice attempted to knock the priest from his bicycle by driving his car at him.
There had been "bad blood" between the two men for months, the court heard. Mr Fintan McElligott, defending, conceded his client did make derogatory comments to the parish priest but he put it to Father Curtis that he had created "a highly inflammatory" situation by challenging Mr Lambert to step from his car and repeat the comments.
"Your actions were not those of a peacemaker," he said.
The priest strenuously denied antagonising the defendant who is charged with common assault.
The judge adjourned the matter to April 17th next.