Woman (34) is accused of taking part in violent melee at birthday party
A WOMAN has been accused of taking part in a violent melee at a birthday party in which several people were injured, some needing stitches to their foreheads.
Margaret Green is alleged to have been among a group of people who got into a physical fight at the house party in Clondalkin.
Blanchardstown District Court
Judge David McHugh adjourned the case against her at Blanchardstown District Court.
Ms Green, aged 34, with an address at Ballyfermot Road, is charged with affray at Collinstown Crescent, Clondalkin on September 26, 2019.
The charge alleges she was with a number of people who used or threatened to use violence towards each other.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan said the DPP directed summary disposal of the case at district court level subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.
Outlining the prosecution’s case, she said a birthday party was taking place at 11pm on the night in question and gardai were called when a number of people got involved in a row.
It was alleged they were fighting physically, hitting each other, Sgt Callaghan said. A number of them had to receive stitches to the forehead, the court heard.
Other people were taken to St James’s Hospital.
One woman also had bruised ribs, Sgt Callaghan said.
She said a co-accused in the case had been charged and bailed to appear in court on a later date.
“It seems to have been quite a melee,” Judge McHugh said.
The allegation was at the “top end” of the scale but he said he would accept jurisdiction to allow the case to remain in the district court.
He ordered disclosure of prosecution documents to the defence and said this should be complied with by the next date.
The judge adjourned the case to January 7. He also granted free legal aid after an application was made by defence barrister Jennifer Jackson, who said the accused was unemployed.
There was no garda objection. Ms Green was not required to attend court and was remanded on continuing bail in her absence.
She has not yet entered a plea to the charge, which is under Section 16 of the Public Order Act.
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