The trial of nine men charged in connection with a "pitched battle" between members of opposing factions outside a Limerick fast-food restaurant finished last night when a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in the case of five of the accused who had denied a charge of violent disorder.
In the second week of the trial, four other men who had initially denied charges in connection with the same incident changed their pleas to guilty.
A jury returned the unanimous verdict last night in the case of the remaining five accused.
Patrick McCarthy (21), College Avenue, Moyross; Kieran Ryan (20), Pineview Gardens, Moyross; David McCarthy (26), O'Callaghan Avenue, Kileely; Edward McCarthy (23), O'Callaghan Avenue, Kileely; and David Sheehan (19), Cliona Park, Moyross, had all denied a charge of violent disorder outside Supermacs on the Ennis Road, on May 27th, 2003.
The trial heard evidence that each of the five accused had armed themselves with improvised weapons, including baby chairs, a plastic "Warning -Wet Floor" sign, and a pool cue, before engaging in a running battle with two other men outside Supermacs.
Judge Carroll Moran thanked the jury for their dedication during the 13-day trial.
All nine men - the five convicted last night and the four who pleaded guilty during the trial - will be sentenced next Tuesday.