Charged with assault on mother holding three-month-old

A man charged in connection with an assault in the Willow Park area of a mother holding a three-month-old baby told Gardai that he was "ashamed" of himself when the charge was read out. During a tense sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday last, the Gardai gave evidence that the alleged assault was related to a feud which has been ongoing for the last three years. A number of scuffles took place in the vicinity of the courthouse during the day. As a result, three others were arrested and charged with public order offences. Raymond O'Neill (23) of 125 Meadowbrook, Athlone, was in custody after being charged with assaulting Stacey Ring at Thornberry Drive on Tuesday morning, May 25. Mr O'Neill was also charged with the possession of a wooden bat intended to cause injury to the victim. His brother, Patrick O'Neill (20) of 116 Meadowbrook was also in custody after allegedly being present at the time of the assault. He was charged with the possession of a wooden bat and with causing damage to the living room window of the victim's residence. The incident is alleged to have taken place at an address in Thornberry Drive at 7.40am. Detective Garda Niall Conlon told the court that it would be alleged that the victim was hit in the head with an implement while holding a three-month-old baby. The baby fell from her arms at the time and suffered a minor injury, while the mother had to be taken to hospital as a result of sustaining a severe wound to her head. Patrick O'Neill was the first of the two defendants to be called before the court and Det Garda Conlon told Judge John Neilan that he would oppose any application for bail. "The alleged incident is related to an ongoing feud in the area which has been going on for the last three years," he stated. "(The Gardai) strongly believe that if he is given bail the feud will escalate." His brother Raymond, when charged with the possession of a wooden bat intended to cause injury replied: "I'm sorry for that aul' crack. I plead guilty." In response to the assault charge, Raymond O'Neill replied: "I am sorry for what I done. I had a lot of drink taken. If I could take it back I would. I plead guilty. I am ashamed of myself." Despite a large Garda presence around the court, a number of incidents took place in the general vicinity during the day. A reference was made to these incidents when the case of the two O'Neill brothers came up again in the afternoon. Solicitor Mark Cooney, referring to a potential bail application for Patrick O'Neill, said "issues have arisen in the general precinct of the court in which my client obviously wasn't involved, but in the circumstances I've spoken to my client and he's consenting to defer the issue of bail". Mr Cooney then indicated that he would defer any potential bail application for Raymond O'Neill also. Judge Neilan remanded the two brothers to Cloverhill prison for a period of one week. The three individuals arrested in connection with alleged incidents in the vicinity of the courthouse last Wednesday were Stephen Reilly (21) of 4 Elmworth Court, Belhavel, Athlone; John Murphy (28) of 11 St Ruth's Park, Athlone; and Lisa Blake of 13 Mount Carmel Drive, Moate. Mr Reilly was charged with engaging in abusive or threatening behaviour at Barrack Street and with refusing to leave the area when directed to do so by a Garda. Mr Reilly contested the charges, claiming in court that he had come under attack from others when a car in which he was sitting was stopped outside the courthouse. Garda Danny Costello gave evidence that he told Mr Reilly he could make a statement in relation to the matter but the defendant replied that he "wouldn't be ratting anyone out". Garda Costello felt that Mr Reilly was likely to reoffend if he was granted bail. Judge Neilan remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear before the District Court there today (Wednesday June 2). John Murphy was also charged with engaging in abusive or threatening behaviour at Barrack Street and with refusing to leave the area when directed to do so by a Garda. He claimed in court that his girlfriend had been assaulted during the course of the incidents near the courthouse. Mr Murphy was remanded on bail to appear before Athlone District Court on June 23. Lisa Blake was charged with committing the same two public order offences at Barrack Street at 1.40pm. She was remanded on bail until June 23 but there were a number of conditions attached, one of which was that she was to reside at her stated address in Moate and was not to return to Athlone for any reason other than court appearances.