Matter to go before Longford Circuit Court

A Longford man was sent forward for trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court in connection with an incident allegedly connected to a long-standing Traveller feud.

Patrick Hannifin (46) of The Red Brick House, Dublin Road, Longford was before Longford District Court having been served with a book of evidence.

The defendant is charged with engaging in violent disorder along with Robbie Hannafin, Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Longford, Thomas Hannafin, Dublin Road, Longford and Denis Hannafin, Curry, Athlone Rd, Longford.

Mr Hannifin is also charged with allegedly carrying out a section 3 assault on John McGinley and another of an assault on Patrick McGinley at The Holy Family Church, Merview, Galway on January 13, 2019.

Garda Cathal Slattery told Judge Owens he served the book of evidence on the defendant on the morning of the court sitting. Sergeant Enda Daly explained that the DPP directed the matter be sent forward to the Circuit Court for trial on indictment at the January sitting of the court.

Counsel for the defendant, Patrick O'Sullivan, made a legal aid application. Judge Owens remarked that the information on the statement of means submitted was “quite scant”.
Mr O'Sullivan explained that his client runs a furniture store and does not have up-to-date accounts as it closed during the Covid pandemic and has “not really been up and running since”.

Judge Owens issued the defendant with an alibi warning, informing him that if he wished to submit an alibi he must do so within 14 days. The judge granted the legal aid application and sent the matter forward to the Circuit Court on January 10.

The three other men named in the charges were served with books of evidence and sent forward for trial in 2020, however they will all appear at the next Longford Circuit Court sitting.