Longford couple claim they were "followed" into shop prior to violent incident

A husband and wife who allege they were ‘followed’ into a petrol station by another couple just prior to the onset of a violent incident between them within the shop have been remanded on continuing bail until July 14 pending a restorative justice report.  

Appearing before a recent sitting of Longford District Court, Christy and Bernadette McDonnell of 55 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford both stand accused of having committed violent disorder with two others on the morning of June 10, 2025 at Hanlon’s Gala shop on the Dublin Road in Longford town. 

The prosecuting Garda in the matter was Garda Patrick Fallon.

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Mr McDonnell (44) also faces a second charge under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act for possessing pepper spray in a public place with intent to cause injury or intimidate.

Both pleaded guilty.   

Citing the facts of the case regarding Mrs McDonnell, Sgt Enda Daly outlined, “On the date in question, June 10, 2025, at 9.35 in the morning, it’s alleged that the defendant was in the company of her husband Christy when they entered Hanlon’s Gala Shop and proceeded to be involved in a physical altercation with another couple." 

“This was a busy shop, and the dispute took place in the presence of a large amount of people." 

“An investigation was launched, she was subsequently arrested, and it will be stated she made full admissions when arrested.”  

Sgt Daly added, “It’s alleged it was between herself and the other couple that a number of punches were thrown. There’s no allegations of injuries, more a public order incident in the shop more than an assault.”  

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Citing the facts with regard to Christy McDonnell, Sgt Daly said, “the allegation is that on the same date and time, he entered the shop and was quickly followed by the other couple."

"While in the shop a physical altercation occurred in front of a number of members of the public. Mr McDonnell left the shop and went to his vehicle where it is alleged he grabbed a pepper spray and then subsequently tried to re-enter the shop however he was stopped by the staff." 

“He then deployed the pepper spray before leaving the area,” he added.  

In accepting jurisdiction on the matter, Judge Bernadette Owens sought information on previous convictions with respect to Bernadette McDonnell (48). Sgt Daly replied that Mrs McDonnell had two road traffic matters from 2018.

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Representing the McDonnells, solicitor Diarmuid Quinn said his client Bernadette was not known for any of these “unfortunate incidents” and that her previous convictions were “not directly relevant" to the current matters.  

He stated that she “unfortunately got involved in this; there was punching but Mrs McDonnell really was on the periphery, and it was more when her husband was receiving punches, that she intervened and was shouting. She accepts that she was “roaring and shouting abuse at the other couple.” 

Mr Quinn added that there was “a background to this” and that his client alleged there was “intimidation from the other family prior to this incident, and unfortunately it boiled over into the shop.”  

He continued, “They will say that they were followed into the shop, and I think the sergeant will accept that as well. She’s very remorseful. She’s a married mother of eight and has never been in serious difficulties before but she was under a lot of stress at the time due to intimidating messages she was receiving.” 

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Mr Quinn said the McDonnells were “expecting an incident to occur, they just weren’t expecting it to occur in their local shop.”   

Mr Quinn said they were open to engaging in a Traveller mediation service and had made calls in that regard. “They have been on to Pavee Point to try and arrange to meet with the Traveller mediation service”, he said. 

When asked about Christy McDonnell’s previous convictions, Sgt Daly said he had nine  priors, eight of which were for road traffic offences.   

Said Mr Quinn, “Neither of them are well known to Gardaí for any of these types of incident. 

“It’s unfortunate that this dispute arose between the families, it’s not directly with Christy and Bernadette, it’s actually with other members of their family but they were targeted.

“The aggravating factor for Christy is the use of the pepper spray. In the circumstances, it was a reaction to him seeing his wife being grabbed. He went and grabbed the item from his vehicle much to his regret.”  

Solr Quinn added, “He made full admission, and in hindsight he could have handled it better but the intimidation, they will say, was coming from the other family.”  

Solr Quinn admitted that it was “more serious for Christy because of the pepper spray”. 

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Dealing with Mr McDonnell’s matter, Judge Owens said she was going to direct a restorative justice report to include 30 hours of community and voluntary work and possible engagement with a Traveller mediation service. 

Mr McDonnell was remanded on continuing bail until July 14 for penalty with liberty to re-enter. 

Judge Owens said Mrs McDonnell's role in this was “considered less” and directed a restorative justice report, also for July 14, with possible Traveller mediation.