Court hears golf club produced as weapon during Longford brawl

Three men have appeared in court charged with public order following an incident in a  garage forecourt last year that involved one of the men allegedly running at another with a golf club. 

The brawl occurred on March 28 last year on Dublin Road, Longford. 

First up before Judge Bernadette Owens, was 25 -year-old Francis Stokes of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Longford. 

The defendant, who was represented by solicitor John Anderson,  was before the court on two charges. The first charge related to the allegation that he  had committed an affray,  (which is defined as fighting in public) with two others, namely, 36-year-old Gary Stokes  of 42 Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa, Longford, and 28-year-old Thomas Stokes of 39 Palace Crescent, Longford. 

Francis Stokes was further charged with having produced “an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a golf club” during the course of the fight. 

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In delivering a summary of events, Sergeant for the state, Enda Daly, explained for the court how the incident unfolded after Francis Stokes  drove into the forecourt of a service station at 8.20pm on the evening of March 28 last year. 

Said Sgt Daly, “Shortly after, another man - Thomas Stokes - also drove his car into the forecourt, accompanied by his brother, another co-accused, Gary Stokes.

“It is alleged that Thomas Stokes went into the shop and pre-paid for Kerosene. He then left the shop to go to the pump at the side. While exiting the shop, Francis Stokes appeared to have said something to Gary Stokes who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car. 

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“Footage then allegedly shows Francis Stokes run to the boot of his car and take out a golf club and runs towards Gary, who exits the car and hides behind another car. 

“Thomas Stokes then appears to then grab Francis to the ground, and both him and Gary appear to kick Francis three or four times while he’s laying on the ground before a third party intervenes. All males then left the scene, the golf club was not recovered.”    

Francis Stokes was remanded on continuing bail until January 20. 

Appearing before the court directly after Francis was the driver of the second car, Thomas Stokes of 39 Palace Crescent, Longford, and his brother,  Gary Stokes, of 42 Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa, Longford, who was a passenger in Thomas's car on the evening in question. 

Thomas and Gary were each charged with one count of public order, and also remanded on continuing bail until January 20 next year.

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