Three charged with Reek Sunday assault

Three charged with Reek Sunday assault


Three men who are accused of attacking their first cousin with a stanley knife and a pick axe handle on Reek Sunday appeared before last week’s sitting of Achill District Court.
Patrick Stokes (23) of 1 Oldcastle Park Crescent, Clondalkin, appeared before the court along with his brother, Jason Stokes (18) of 3 Oldcastle Park Crescent, Clondalkin and a 16 year old who cannot be named for legal reasons. All three are charged with assault causing harm to Michael Stokes.
The alleged assault took place at 1.30pm on Reek Sunday, July 31, 2011, in the visitors’ centre at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Michael Stokes claims he was attacked by three men. Garda Brian Murphy explained that Mr Stokes suffered slash wounds to his back, as well as  head and leg injuries, during the attack.
Garda Murphy said that he met the three men by appointment in Westport on March 8 at 9.05am where he charged them before conveying them to Achill District Court.
The three men were not represented by a solicitor and the court heard that the young person was not accompanied by an adult but was charged in the presence of a peace commissioner. Garda Murphy said a family member was supposed to travel with the young person but forgot.
Mr Vincent Deane, state solicitor said the DPP’s instructions would be to send the three men forward for trial by indictment, and appear before Achill District Court on May 10 for service of the book of evidence.
He explained that he would need the consent of the defendants for an extension of time to serve the book of evidence on that date. When one of the defendants said he would like to consult with his solicitor he was told by Judge Mary Devins his solicitor should have travelled to Achill. He then claimed that he was told by the gardaí their solicitor did not need to attend but Garda Murphy claimed he told him it was up to them if they wanted a solicitor.
They eventually consented to the extension and Judge Devins remanded both Patrick and Jason Stokes on bail to appear before Achill District Court. However, she said she was ‘not too happy’ with how the minor was dealt with, and she remanded him on bail to appear before Westport Children’s Court on April 12 for mention to allow his solicitor or mother to be present.