By Gordon Deegan
A judge has stated that “war may break out again” in a land boundary dispute between two brothers-in-law if the state proceeds with an assault case and if convictions are recorded.
Judge Patrick Durcan made his comment before adjourning the assault case generally after hearing that “peace has broken out between all sides in the case”.
Judge Durcan made the statement at Gort District Court during a hearing where the assault charges were before the court for the ninth time.
Court charges
In the case, 50-year-old John Grealish and his son, 29-year-old Jason both of Hawk Hill, Gort were facing a charge of common assault on Damien O’Neill at Hawk Hill, Gort on February 23, 2019.
Judge Durcan previously told brothers-in-law, neighbours and businessmen, John Grealish and Damien O’Neill to resolve the boundary dispute in order to avoid “bile and bitterness” between them.
She stated that her client is not on legal aid and is paying for her to be in court, stating the case has been in court nine times.
In response, Judge Durcan stated: “We are paying for peace and you can’t put a price on peace.”
Olivia Lynch stated that Jason Grealish, at great expense, has moved his business out of Hawk Hill to Galway adding: “He doesn’t want to be quarrelling with his family next door”.
Judges adjourns the matter
Moving to adjourn the case generally with liberty to re-enter the matters, Judge Durcan told Sergeant Daithi Cronin that if the state was “to prosecute the case today and if there are convictions, people win and people lose and war is going to break out again”.
Judge Durcan stated: “This has to be a court of common sense.”
Concern about coal operation
William Cahir – the solicitor for the alleged victim in the case, Damien O’Neill – stated that his client has a huge concern that while the bagging of coal has stopped this winter at the Grealish property next door, “we have huge concern that there may be an element of ducks and drakes”.
The solicitor stated that if there was to be evidence in the case, Damien O’Neill would say that the alleged assault took place due to the fact that he called Galway County Council to become involved concerning the coal operation.
Solicitor for John Grealish, John Nash stated that “everyone is now happy with the boundaries and we are talking about something that may happen in the future. We have gone off track”.
The site is located four miles outside of Gort and William Cahir stated that being able to enjoy living in your family home is a very serious matter in Ireland and that is where Damien O’Neill is coming from.
The solicitor added: “Compromise isn’t a problem and getting to this point where he can enjoy his home and his sense of security is of the utmost importance.”