Three Longford women to stand trial over alleged Penneys brawl

Three women who became embroiled in a feud related row in a Longford department store last year have been served with books of evidence.

Annalise Power (26) 18 The Hollows, Farnagh Hill, Longford, Cindy Duignan (39) 28 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford and Teresa Dinnegan (36) 18 Grian Ard, Longford, were each formally sent forward for trial at a sitting of Longford District Court last week.
The case against all three, which the court had previously heard stemmed from an ongoing feud involving rivalling factions, was struck out last December owing to delays the State had encountered in obtaining directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). As revealed by the Leader last month, criminal charges were re-entered against the trio ahead of the serving of books of evidence.

They were formally served against all three last Tuesday by Garda Linda O'Connell.
First to appear before Judge Miriam Walsh was Ms Power. Sgt Enda Daly, for the State, said the Longford woman could be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court to face four charges. They included assault causing harm to Teresa Dinnegan, the production and posssession of a knife and violent disorder. The incident allegedly took place at Penneys, Longford Centre, Longford on March 16, 2022.

Ms Power stood beside her solicitor Bríd Mimnagh throughout last week's hearing and did not speak.
In making a Section 56 order to allow for the release of video evidence to the State, Judge Walsh also issued Ms Power with an alibi warning. Under the terms of those conditions, Ms Power was told she had 14 days to inform the State Solicitor's office of any alibi she intended using during the course of any trial. Sgt Daly said the DPP had also consented for Ms Duignan and Ms Dinnegan to be sent forward for trial. The former was sent forward on two charges, namely of allegedly assaulting Ms Power causing her harm and violent disorder.

Ms Dinnegan was served with a book of evidence containing three charges. They included charges of assault causing harm to Ms Power, producing a glass cased candle stick and violent disorder. Like Ms Power, the two sisters were given an alibi warning by Judge Walsh. All three were sent forward to a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court the following day (Wednesday).