Men accused of producing implements during new year ‘fracas’

Two men involved in an alleged “fracas” in the early hours of New Year’s Day have appeared before a sitting of Athlone District Court.

Alali Alkhalaf (19), with an address in Marlinstown, Mullingar, and Mohammad Al Hassan (19), of Abbeylands, Mullingar, both appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens, charged with public order offences and production of an article.

The court heard how gardaí on beat at 2.50am on January 1, 2026, came across a fight breaking out on Church Street, Athlone.

It is alleged that Mr Alkhalaf had produced a glass bottle in the course of a dispute. He was uncooperative with gardaí and had to be pepper sprayed, which caused him to flee, and to drop the bottle.

Mr Alkhalaf is charged with public intoxication, with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, and with producing a glass bottle while acting aggressively towards members of the public.

It is alleged that his co-accused, Mr Al Hassan, was aggressive towards gardaí and produced a flick knife, which he did not use.

He is charged with the same public order offences as Mr Alkhalaf, and the production of a knife from his trousers, which he allegedly held in his right hand, clearly showing it to a group of people he had engaged in a dispute with and acted aggressively towards by pushing and shoving and trying to incite a fight.

Both men were remanded on bail to reappear before the court on February 11, 2026.