A TRAVELLER allegedly involved in a funeral fracas has appealed his bail conditions in order to travel with his family for the summer.
Martin McDonagh (30), The Big Isle, Manorcunningham, Letterkenny appeared at Castlebar District Court last month along with his five brothers who were all charged with assault causing harm which allegedly occurred at a family funeral in Ballyhaunis on May 16.
It is alleged that the brothers committed assault causing harm on their cousin Thomas McDonagh at Abbeyguarter, Ballyhaunis, at the funeral of Martin ‘Red Breast’ McDonagh.
The brothers were given bail with certain bail conditions which included to comply by a curfew, surrender their passports and sign on three days a week in Letterkenny Garda Station.
McDonagh appeared in court however to lodge an application to change some of the bail conditions to allow him and his family to travel around Ireland and the UK for the summer months.
The court heard that if the application was successful the father of four planned to leave with his family.
McDonagh told the court that because he was a member of the traveller community he had travelled around Ireland and the UK all his life.
McDonagh told the court that if his children, aged 12, 8, 5 and 2, weren’t in school he and his family would travel all year round.
Asking about McDonagh’s brothers’ plans to travel, McDonagh said they too would travel ‘if you agree [to similar bail changes].’
Judge Devins said she was amazed that the 30-year-old was making the application ‘relying on your ethnic status’.
Superintendent Michael Cryan told the court that Mr McDonagh had failed to appear in court four times over the past ten years and that once he leaves the jurisdiction An Garda Sióchána would have ‘no control’.
Replying to this, defending solicitor Ms Cathy McDarby said her client could flee the jurisdiction if he wished, as is the close proximity of his home to Northern Ireland.
Judge Devins made no decision on the application but said McDonagh could renew the application next month when he will appear again with his brothers.