If an ongoing feud between two rival Traveller families continues, it may result in a loss of life, a senior Garda warned yesterday.
Supt John Kerin of Ennis Garda Station was speaking ahead of the next scheduled court appearance of members of the Mongan and McDonagh families at Ennis District Court tomorrow.
At their previous court appearance last Friday, a pitched battle involving up to 25 Travellers from the two families took place inside and outside the courtroom.
As a result, one Traveller suffered head injuries from a number of blows from an axe, while a second was also removed to Ennis General Hospital after being slashed across his back.
The running battle between the Mongan and McDonagh families had members of the public and solicitors running in fear of their lives according to Supt Kerin, who yesterday described events that took place at the district court "as sheer and utter savagery".
Already, in response to last Friday's violent scenes, the Clare Law Association is to hold an emergency meeting tonight and make a decision as to whether they will withdraw their services from tomorrow's District Court due to safety concerns.
Vice President of the Clare Law Association, Mr Gerry Flynn - who was in the courtroom last Friday during the row - said yesterday: "It is beyond doubt that the personal safety of members of the public, court staff and solicitors was placed in jeopardy during the riot." Mr Flynn confirmed that a number of solicitors have suggested to him that solicitors should withdraw their services from the district court until there are suitable and safe court facilities in Ennis .
Currently, district court sittings in Ennis are taking place in the bar area of a GAA clubhouse pending the completion next April of renovation works on Ennis's courthouse.
Referring to the ongoing feud between the two families, Supt Kerin said: "These people have to conform with the norms of society. They are not beyond the law and this dispute must end now without any further violence."
Gardaí were outnumbered by the Travellers at last Friday's court before reinforcements arrived and Supt Kerin admitted yesterday that gardaí "were caught on the hop" on the day.
Supt Kerin said "we will learn from our mistakes and ensure that there is no repeat of what took place". Garda John Scanlan removed the axe from an attacker before more injuries could be inflicted.
Four travellers were arrested and charged in connection with last Friday's row, though no one as yet has been charged with assault or causing harm.
As a result of last Friday's incident, a large proportion of the Travellers already before the court on other matters were committed to prison for the week by Judge Joseph Mangan to re-appear before Ennis District Court tomorrow.
Nine Travellers from the two families were due to appear in court last Friday arising from violent disturbances in Ennis last July. Supt Kerin said yesterday that gardaí would be recommending to the court that a number of the cases involved go forward to the Circuit Court.
