A primary school bus driver has alleged he was verbally abused outside a Donegal National School by an 68-year old woman who was picking up her grandchildren.
Martin McMonagle of Churchill claimed at Letterkenny District Court that the incident occurred on November 28th, 2014 outside of Stramore National School, Glendowan, Churchill.
He alleged that Mrs Bernadette McGinley verbally abused him as he walked past her car and said, “Look at the shape of that b***ard there.”
Mrs McGinley, 68, with an address at Prucklish, Churchill, Letterkenny, vehemently denies the accusation made my Mr McMonagle.
The court heard how there had been an on-going dispute between Martin McMonagle and members of the accused woman’s family.
The court heard that Mrs McGinley’s two daughters along with other parents had filed a complaint to CIE in June, 2014.
The complaint was in relation to the conduct of Mr McMonagle’s wife who is also employed as a bus driver which services the local primary school.
Mr McMonagle alleged there had been another incident between them prior to the incident on November 28th, and on that occasion it involved a road traffic incident.
Mr McMonagle contacted Garda and wanted them to note the incident but requested for them not to take the matter any further.
However, after the alleged incident which occurred on the 28th of November – Mr McMonagle made a statement to Gardaí on December 3rd.
Solicitor for the defendant Kieran O’Gorman suggested that Mr McMonagle had conjured up this allegation to get back at Mrs McGinley – whose two daughters lodged the complaint to the CIE against his wife.
Inspector Michael Harrison cross examined Mr McMonagle about the incident on November 28th.
Mr McMonagle told the court, “I went to the school as usual and was speaking to a friend – I was aware Mrs McGinley was there and I seen her vehicle.
“As I made my way back towards the bus to take the children home – I heard a voice which I knew to be Mrs McGinley’s.
“She said, ‘Look at the shape of that b***ard there, – I’ve tunnel vision and I just ignored it, and proceeded to carry on back to the van.”
Inspector Harrison asked him, ‘Did her comments annoy you?’ – Mr McMonagle responded that, “Yeah it did a bit, but I’ve tunnel vision and just walked on.”
Solicitor for the defendant Kieran O’Gorman then questioned Mr McMonagle about the alleged allegation.
O’Gorman said, “You’ve known this woman for years – and you’ve never had any issues or altercation with her.
“She never knew about the previous incident you reported to Gardaí, but yet she apparently verbally abused you outside the school?
“I think you made the accusation to get back at my client because her daughters made a complaint against your wife.”
Mr McMonagle responded by saying, “That’s not true at all.”
O’Gorman then asked Mr McMonagle, “Why would you not confront Mrs McGinley if she had made this comment and say, “Excuse me, what’s your problem, why did you say that?”
Mr McMonagle responded by saying, “They are not approachable people, and as I stated earlier I’ve tunnel vision, I don’t want any trouble, I want to go about my work in peace.
“I ignored it, but I realised the situation wasn’t going to be resolved – and was only going to get worse – that’s why I made the official complaint to Gardaí then.”
O’Gorman responded by saying, “You don’t realise the situation you’ve put this poor woman in, dragging her in here today.
“The reason? Because she’s the mother of the two people who made a complaint against your wife.
“Why would my client, who has never said anything to you in the past, who you’ve never had an issue with – all of sudden verbally abuse you?
“You were angry about what happened your wife and you conjured up this allegation to get back at them.
Inspector Michael Harrison asked Mr McMonagle had their be any incidents recently?
Mr McMonagle said, “Yes, I was driving in Letterkenny, and Mrs McGinley’s car was parked up, they seen me and her grandson started giving me the fingers.
“Mrs McGinley was laughing as he did this – I didn’t react and just drove on.”
Mrs McGinley took the stand and gave evidence and completely refuted all claims made by Mr McMonagle.
She told the court, “I would never say anything like that, I’ve never done anything like that in my life before.
“I always said hello to him in the past, and was friendly and courteous towards him – never had an issue with him and wasn’t involved in the complaints made against his wife.
“When the guards informed of the complaint made against me – I was just totally, totally shocked by it.”
Inspector Harrison asked Mrs McGinley, “Why would he make the allegations up?”
“I’ve no idea, I never said that to him – it didn’t happen – I’ve no reason to say anything to him and I wouldn’t insult anyone.”
Judge James Faughnan decided to adjourn the case for twelve months – and ordered for there to be absolutely no contact between either parties.
The case was adjourned until January 19th, 2017.