Brothers given suspended sentences for violent disorder outside Mayo takeaway

TWO brothers who were involved in a violent incident outside a Ballinrobe fast-food restaurant where one of them was struck with a machete were given suspended prison sentences.

Coleman Barrett (21) and James Barrett (25) both with an address Kilcolan, Ballyneety, Co Limerick appeared before Castlebar Circuit Court last week where they were both sentenced to 12 month suspended sentences after pleading to violent disorder outside Supermacs in Ballinrobe on April 10, 2023.

The court heard that at the time there was a feud between the Barrett family and the Ward family and the defendants and two members of the Wards met by chance outside the restaurant at around 5.30pm on April 10.

CCTV of the incident was shown where both parties arrived in cars. James Barrett went into the restaurant and as the Wards went towards the restaurant they looked into the Barrett's car. The coverage showed Coleman get out and talk to the Wards while James later arrived out of the restaurant.

During the confrontation, Coleman Barrett was struck to the ground with a punch which resulted in more violence. Both parties were armed with the two Barrett brothers taking golf clubs from their Volkswagen Golf and went towards the Ward's car.

During the confrontation, Coleman Barrett was struck with a weapon believed to be a machete and received two blows to the head.

The CCTV footage showed the Ward's driving off in their Nissan Quashai and they were pursued by the Barrett's with James Barrett driving the car owned by his brother.

Cars crashed

SERGEANT Helena Hastings explained that both cars left the road near Cross with the Barrett's car ending up on the roof and both had to be cut out. She said the two Wards fled the scene before gardaí arrived.

Both of the Barrett's were taken to hospital and they were later charged with violent disorder to which they pleaded guilty.

The court was told that Coleman Barrett has two previous convictions for minor driving offences while James Barrett has no previous and is married with one child.

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Their legal representatives told Judge Eoin Garavan that neither of the men were directly involved in the feud but admitted keeping the golf clubs for their protection.

In addition to the charge of violent disorder, Coleman Barrett also pleaded guilty to allowing his brother drive his car on the day with no insurance while James Barrett pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

As part of their bail conditions both defendants had to remain outside both Mayo and Galway and the court heard this had been complied with and they now live together in Limerick. It was also confirmed that neither came to the attention of the gardaí since.

Genuine remorse

MR Rob Crowley, counsel for Coleman Barrett said his client was 19 at the time of the offence and is sincere and genuine in his remorse and has engaged positively with the Probation Services.

Mr Simon Crowley, counsel for James Barrett, said his client accepted that he was reckless on the day and it was not something he wanted to get involved in again.

Both counsels asked Judge Eoin Garavan not to impose a disqualification for the no insurance charges, saying that Coleman Barrett was injured and not able to drive.

While accepting it was clear Coleman Barrett was injured, Judge Garavan said he would have sympathy if his brother had driven to the Garda station or the hospital but instead chose to chase Ward's car.

Judge Garavan accepted that both men had complied with their bail conditions to stay away from Mayo and Galway but the conduct outside the restaurant was frightening and unjustified.

He imposed a 12 month prison sentence on both of the defendants but agreed to suspend the entirety of the sentence for a two year period and for them both to come under the supervision of the Probation Services for 12 months.

Judge Garavan also disqualified the brothers for one year and ended the sentencing hearing by commenting that the 'two brothers got good advice from the two brothers [Rob and Simon Crowley]', who had represented them.