Longford man denied bail in alleged feud related attack

A defendant charged in connection with a violent incident that took place on a busy morning outside a school in Longford town was denied bail following a lengthy bail application at Longford District Court.

Martin Keenan (34) of 81 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford was denied bail after Judge Bernadette Owens determined that the State had met the necessary threshold for an objection under Section 2 of the Bail Act.

The defendant appeared before Judge Owens charged with production of an article, a shovel, while committing violent disorder and assault at Deanscurragh, Longford at 9:30am on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

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The alleged offence is connected to an incident which saw David Joyce (28) and Winnie Keenan (28) both of 35 Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa, Longford charged with violent disorder with Mr Joyce facing an additional charge of producing a shovel and red handled screener in the course of a dispute.

At the bail hearing Garda Gerard Mullarkey outlined how the accused made no reply when both charges were put to him, and put forward the State's objections to bail under O’Callaghan Rules and Section 2 of the Bail Act, 1997.

Garda Mullarkey told the court the victim at the centre of the incident, Patrick Stokes, has undergone two operations at Dublin’s Mater Hospital to treat a stab wound to his stomach sustained in an attack on October 10.

In outlining the State's objections to bail the officer asked the judge to consider a number of factors. He alleged the defendant was the driver of a flatbed truck that stopped in busy morning traffic on the junction of Dublin Road and Deanscurragh in Longford town.

The driver and two passengers, along with another woman, confront Partick Stokes on Deanscurragh. Garda Mullarkey told of the Garda belief that there was a child present in the vehicle at the time of the alleged attack.

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Gardaí were alerted to the incident when Patrick Stokes presented at Midoc with abdominal wounds. The alleged victim said three males had assaulted him.

The court was shown the CCTV and mobile phone footage. In it a woman can be seen running down Deanscurragh, then three men run in the direction of Patrick Stokes. The alleged stabbing is not visible on the footage.

Garda Mullarkey said Mr Stokes is still in hospital. He told the judge that a shovel was seized in a search of the defendant's home and the flatbed truck in the CCTV was also seized from near Mr Keenan's home.

Garda Mullarkey said other items found in the defendant's home were “indicators of ongoing tensions”, adding his belief that if Mr Keenan was released on bail the likelihood is that he will get involved in “further feud related offence”. He said investigators believe the defendant got rid of his mobile phone and the clothes he was wearing on that Thursday morning.

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The witness said it was the Gardaí's belief that Mr Keenan is a drug user. He also stated that the injured party's wife alleged her husband was approached and told not to co-operate with Gardaí. Garda Mullarkey said attempts to interview Mr Stokes about the incident have been unsuccessful, as he was still receiving treatment.

The officer said there were no bail conditions that would satisfy the State.

The video footage showed the three men, and Garda Mullarkey pointed out a man wearing a black top, a black jacket, a black baseball hat and black shorts with white trim who was armed with a shovel. Even though the person had their face partially covered the witness said it was Martin Keenan.

Solicitor Fiona Baxter told the court her client has lived in Longford all his life. She said the father of four children is well known in his community.

Ms Baxter put it to the witness that Gardai could not categorically identify Mr Keenan from the CCTV and said despite the fact that it was “extremely busy” at the time “not one independent witness has come forward” to identify Martin Keenan.

Garda Mullarkey said it was an active investigation in its early stages and pointed out that two other people had been brought before the court.

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When asked by Ms Baxter if there was any forensic evidence available to link her client to the crime the witness said it was still the “early stages of the investigation”.

The solicitor asked: “The vehicle was parked close to the family home. Is that the actions of a man with something to hide?”
Garda Mullarkey replied: “I couldn't say.”

Giving the judge background to the matter Sergeant Enda Daly said it was the Gardaí's belief the alleged stabbing was a result of an ongoing feud.

Sgt Daly described the incident as “outrageous” pointing out it had taken place as young children were being dropped off at St Joseph’s National School.

Ms Baxter said her client was willing to abide by any conditions Gardaí put forward, including residing outside of County Longford, abiding by a curfew and suggested that a lodgement of €5,000 in cash could be made.

Denying Mr Keenan bail Judge Owens said although the State had not met the required threshold under O’Callaghan Rules, bail would be denied as there was sufficient evidence under Section 2 of the Bail Act to hold Mr Keenan in custody.

She remanded the defendant in custody to appear via video link at next Tuesday's sitting of Longford District Court.