A west Clare farmer charged with the alleged criminal damage of 10 bales belonging to his brother has told a court “this matter is miles beyond 10 bales”.
At Kilrush District Court, Michael McNamara (64) of Church Street, Kilmihil made his comment when confirming to the court that he will be contesting two charges before the court.
In the case, Mr McNamara is before the court concerning the alleged criminal damage of 10 round bales belonging to his brother, Leonard McNamara on dates between 2 October and 14 October at Glendora Rd, Knockbeg, Kilmihil in west Clare.
Mr McNamara is also charged with failing to comply to with the direction of Garda Donagh Fawl on 14 October having been found in the curtilage of his brother Leonard McNamara’s property at Tarmon Roe, Glenmore Rd, Knockbeg, Kilmihil, Co Clare contrary to the provisions of Section 13(1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.
Change of mind
Earlier this month at Ennis District Court, Mr McNamara narrowly avoided being remanded in custody after changing his mind in a Garda van to agree to a bail condition not to have any contact with his brother.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Olivia Traynor initially signed a committal warrant for Michael McNamara to be remanded in custody to Limerick prison after Mr McNamara refused four times in court to agree to a bail condition not to have any contact with his brother, Leonard.
At Kilrush District Court, Mr McNamara recalled his change of mind at his previous court appearance and told Judge Adrian Harris “I was not clear about what the procedure was”.
Mr McNamara said: “I was remanded for five nights to Limerick prison. When I was in the prison van I realised that my brother is not going to talk to me and I knocked on the van.”
A former teacher, Mr McNamara said: “This is my fourth time being arrested over this matter and the first time I have been charged with anything."
He said: “The only people who have shown me a medium of respect have been the Gardaí.”
Sgt John Burke told the court that the matters can be disposed of in the district court.
Case adjourned
Judge Harris said that he would adjourn the case to 10 November to Kilrush District Court to give Mr McNamara an opportunity to get a solicitor to defend the case.
Mr McNamara said he had a solicitor acting for him “but his final act was to call the Gardaí to his offices and send me a letter where he threatened me with legal action”.
Mr McNamara told Judge Harris that he has done everything to get a solicitor and “more than likely I will have no solicitor”.
