*Photograph: John Mangan
A MALE wheelchair user sustained dental injuries and a possible fractured eye socket when allegedly โtrampledโ on by three males in pursuit of another man during a day-light alleged โaffrayโ incident in Ennis town centre last month, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, Garda Caitriona Mangan told the court that Ned OโDonoghue is one of three men suspected to have โtrampledโ over the innocent bystander and wheelchair user whose wheelchair toppled over during the alleged affray at around 3pm close to the junction of Station Rd and O’Connell Street, Ennis on February 21st last.
Mr OโDonoghue who has no previous convictions denies trampling over the wheelchair user and two charges before the court.
Garda Mangan objected to bail for Mr OโDonoghue (26) of 1 Knockaneen, Tulla Rd, Ennis after telling the court that there is an active feud between the OโDonoghues and the Dohertys.
She said, โNed Oโ Donoghue and his family are currently involved in a serious ongoing feud in the Ennis area with the Doherty familyโ.
Garda Mangan said, “During the last number of years, a large number of serious incidents have been reported to Gardaรญ including assaults, arsons and shootings which have been reported by both sidesโ.
Garda Mangan told the court that the February 21st incident “has been the catalyst to a serious assault in which Ned OโDonoghueโs father was a victim at Castlerea on March 1st where he received injuries from a machete attack while attending a boxing matchโ.
She said, “The feud is extremely active and publicised on social mediaโ.
Solicitor for Ned O’Donoghue, ศara Godfrey told the court that Mr OโDonoghueโs father is in an induced coma at a hospital in Galway arising from the Castlerea assault on him.
Garda Mangan told the court that the Ennis incident at 3pm took place in the vicinity of Ennis Cathedral and a national school where parents were gathering to collect children
She said, “An innocent bystander in a wheelchair received two broken teeth and bruising to his face. The State fears that an escalation in this feud could result in further injuries to innocent bystandersโ.
Garda Mangan said that the wheelchair user “has had a lot of hospital appointments due to his injuriesโ.
On the alleged incident, Garda Mangan stated that Mr OโDonoghue got out of a car near the Cathedral Church in Ennis and pursued a man on foot and made threats to him to โdrop the chargesโ concerning a named individual “otherwise we are going to kill you, you are deadโ.
Garda Mangan stated that the alleged injured party also alleged that Mr OโDonoghue “was in possession of a knifeโ during the pursuit.
Mr OโDonoghue is charged with affray and possession of a weapon contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
Ms Godfrey said that her client denies the charges or that he made any threat and offered a conflicting account of what occurred.
Ms Godfrey said that when Mr OโDonoghue got out of the car, he was attacked and had a substance thrown into his eyes by a female that caused a burning sensation. She said that he went to Shannondoc after the incident where he showed symptoms consistent with that narrative.
Ms Godfrey said that Mr O’Donoghue “certainly didnโt tip over a man in a wheelchair. He says that he didnโt topple that man and it is not on CCTV footageโ.
Ms Godfrey stated that CCTV footage does show Mr OโDonoghue getting back into a car and departing the scene.
Judge Alec Gabbett granted conditional bail to Mr O’Donoghue on condition that he remain out of Co Clare pending the outcome of the case and Mr OโDonoghue confirmed that he is going to reside at an address in Co Kildare and his wife and four young children will also be moving away from their Ennis home to live with him.
Mr O’Donoghue also provided a โฌ2,000 surety to the court as part of his bail conditions.
