TWO brothers have appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged in connection with a fracas at a local hotel which led to them having to be pepper sprayed by gardaí.
John Burns (60) of 7a Rosapenna Street, Belfast, was charged with two counts of public order following the incident outside the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, on October 5, 2023. He was also charged with being in possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, following his arrest to Letterkenny Garda Station.
Bernard Burns (30), of the same address, was also charged with two counts of public order and possession on the same date and at the same location.
Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of executing bench warrants on both defendants by arrangement.
Sergeant Jim Collins told the court how gardaí on patrol were alerted to a disturbance shortly after midnight. He said gardaí observed a number of people outside the hotel “arguing and acting aggressively”.
“John Burns pushed Garda O’Keefe and pepper spray had to be deployed to subdue both men in order to arrest them.”
Sergeant Collins told the court how cocaine worth €20 was found in John Burns’ possession when he was conveyed to the garda station.
John Burns has previous convictions in the North for criminal damage but none in this jurisdiction, the court heard. Bernard Burns has no previous convictions.
Solicitor for both defendants, Frank Dorrian told the court how the men were having dinner in the Mount Errigal Hotel when trouble found them.
“Another party took it upon themselves to make certain remarks to my clients, and this gave annoyance to my clients. They went outside and an argument ensued. The things that were said were gravely offensive to my clients.”
Mr Dorrian said the incident arose from a set of circumstances that his clients did not generate. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham told the men that the court does not condone their behaviour.
John Burns was convicted and fined €300. He was given five months to pay. Bernard Burns was convicted fined €200.
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