Nine more up on D"Alton Park charges

The 46 defendants brought before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court last Monday were back in court this Monday - joined by a further nine new defendants.All 55, who are charged with offences arising out of a riot at D"Alton Park on July 29 of last year, have had their cases adjourned to May 11, by which time the state expects to have books of evidence ready in respect of each defendant.At Monday"s court, Judge John Neilan criticised one of the defendants from the original hearing last week - Christy 'Ditsy' Nevin, of Bay 8 St Michael"s Park, Mullingar - for giving a 'two finger salute' to waiting cameras, and slapping his own rear, after leaving the court last week.'Is this the Mr. Nevin who was doing a jig outside the court house?' Judge John Neilan asked Inspector Jarlath Folan when the defendant"s name was called in court.Judge Neilan threatened to revoke Christy Nevin"s bail and demanded an explanation for his actions. 'This is the Mr. Nevin who was entertaining all and sundry in the precinct of this court,' he commented.Describing the action within the grounds of the court buildings as contempt, Judge Neilan said he didn"t care if the man went into the centre of town and stood on his head. 'If he wants to stand on his head in Market Square, once it is in accordance with the law, he can do that,' Judge Neilan said.Solicitor Patricia Cronin said her client would like to apologise to the court. She claimed he had been confronted by seven or eight camera flashes when he exited the court house and had simply reacted to the photographers.However, Judge Neilan said he had other concerns about the man. He said Superintendent John Gantly had identified Christy Nevin as the 'ring leader' during earlier proceedings.'Supt. Gantly, in earlier proceedings identified this particular accused as being the ring leader, not in these particular proceedings but in general,' said Judge Neilan.When a mediator was appointed to prevent the violence in Mullingar the man 'refused point blank' to deal with the mediator, he added.Judge Neilan told the man he could contact the Garda Ombudsman if he had a problem with Supt. Gantly"s description of him. 'If he has any complaint he can take it up in front of Supt. Gantly,' Judge Neilan told the man"s solicitor.Expressing his reservations about the defendant Judge Neilan added:'This defendant is hell bent on creating as much mischief as he possibly can in this District Court'.'If other members of the community were going to follow the actions of Mr. Nevin he could be guilty of incitement, continued Judge Neilan.He urged the defendant to 'elevate your own community' to a level where they would not be open to criticism.Judge Neilan asked, 'that you would try and use your wisdom within your own community to try and bring some sense of reason and understanding'. He released the man on strict bail conditions to appear before Mullingar District Court on May 11.Of the co-defendants, four faced extra charges relating to the discovery of a sword and two hatchets in a car at a Maxol Filling Station on the Dublin Bridge in Mullingar on August 22 last.When cautioned in relation to the weapons find, Michael McDonagh, 197 Dalton Park, Mullingar said: 'I went to watch my granny"s house. I know nothing about what was in the car. My fingerprints won"t be found on that stuff.'Co-accused, Sean Dinnegan of 263 Dalton Park, Mullingar said on caution, 'all I was doing was getting a lift. I had no hatchets or swords,' while James Dinnegan, 224 Dalton Park, Mullingar said: 'On the night you stopped and searched me you got me with nothing.'The last defendant, Christopher Greville, 192 Dalton Park, Mullingar made no reply when cautioned.All 56 defendants are due to be served with a book of evidence at a special sitting of Mullingar District Court on May 11.