Three remain in custody over Westport house fracas

Three remain in custody over Westport house fracas


THREE people were remanded in custody until today’s (Tuesday) sitting of Ballina District Court where they may face further charges relating to an early morning fracas in a Westport house earlier in the month.
Stephen Collins (19) of 6 McBride Terrace, Leenane Road, Westport; Kathleen Connors (22) of the same address and a 17-year-old male who cannot be named for legal reasons appeared before last week’s sitting of Westport District Court. They face charges of assault, criminal damage to a garda car and obstruction of a garda arising from an incident in the early morning of December 11, where a young woman received a serious facial injury.
The incident occurred in a house at 4 Pearse Terrace, Upper Quay Road and apparently became so dangerous that a garda was forced to barricade himself, the injured party and a young child into a room.
The three defendants had been remanded in custody and at last week’s sitting, Judge Mary Devins threatened to strike out the charges against them after the prison service failed to turn up at the court on time. However, she proceeded with the hearing where the three defendants all applied to be released on bail which was opposed by Superintendent Mick Murray who said that there was the possibility of further charges being brought against all three defendants.
Mr Patrick Durcan, solicitor for Mr Collins said his client was charged with damage to a garda car, obstruction of a garda and threatening to kill someone but said the phrase was used loosely and was not meant. He added that his client was living rent free with Ms Connors which prompted Judge Mary Devins to comment that he was living ‘grace and favour by an older woman’.
In reply Supt Murray said that since 2007, bench warrants had been applied for on ten occasions against Mr Collins and the gardaí in the house all believed his threat was serious. He added that Mr Collins was on bail for other charges when this incident occurred.
Mr James Hanley, representing Ms Connors said his client had two small children aged two and three and was anxious to be with them for Christmas. He said her mother lived in Dublin and gave an undertaking to live with her.
However, Supt Murray added that Ms Connors had failed to appear before court on 15 occasions since 2007 and this incident occurred while she was on bail.
Mr Aidan Crowley, solicitor for the young person who had no fixed abode said he would live with his uncle in Westport and was prepared to agree to a curfew.
However, Judge Devins said the location was not suitable and remanded him in custody. She also denied bail to Mr Collins and Ms Connors and remanded all three defendants in custody until today’s sitting of Ballina District Court.