A man who ran over and killed an 18-year-old man during a twoday Travellers' feud has been jailed for seven years.
Patrick McGinley (33), of Ballyowen Lane, Lucan, Dublin, also hit a woman with his van and knifed another man. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Thomas McDonagh at St Oliver's Park, Clondalkin, on May 15th, 1997.
As McGinley was led away some people shouted abuse. A member of the McDonagh family put a curse on him and said he would never be forgiven.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said Travellers could not expect to solve their disputes with violence, and the court must impose a jail term. He had to treat the defendant like anyone else.
McGinley drove his van into a halting site and hit Thomas McDonagh, who was gathering children to safety during a battle between the McGinley and Power families. McDonagh was thrown into the air and McGinley's van also hit Ms Julia Power.
McGinley drove out of the halting site and blocked the path of Mr Samuel Power, who was being chased. He got out of the van and slashed Mr Power on the hand with a knife. The attack was stopped when a woman jumped on Mr Power to protect him.
Ms Julia Power had injuries to both knees, a fracture of her right hand and four stitches for cuts to her left hand. Mr Power received seven stitches to his hand.
McGinley apologised in court to the McDonagh family. He said he did not want to insult them by saying he knew how they felt but believed he could imagine the pain they were going through. He said he had entered the halting site as a neutral party and did not mean to cause any harm.
Mr Michael McDowell SC, defending, said his client had lost his three children to an hereditary disease and was under treatment for depression.