Four men await sentencing for assault on a man with a weapon in Athlone

Tom Tuite

Four men have been remanded on continuing bail pending pre-sentence probation reports after admitting to brandishing a large bat and pole during a violent street incident where a man was assaulted in Athlone.

Father of seven Bernie Ward, 43, Bernard McDonagh, 29, David Ward, 26, and 19-year-old Charlie McDonagh, all of Blackberry Lane, Athlone, Co Westmeath, had signed guilty pleas to various connected charges in the District Court linked to the incident at Mardyke Street, in the midlands town, on February 2nd this year.

They were sent forward for sentencing to the Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, with each man confirming their pleas when they appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly.

All four are accused of engaging in violent disorder and production of weapons capable of inflicting serious injury. The indictment states Bernie Ward had “a large wooden pole” while the co-defendants were armed with a bat.

Charlie McDonagh, who has no prior convictions and Bernard McDonagh, who has a record for a single theft offence, also admitted assault causing harm to Joe Joyce at Mardyke Street during the same incident.

The court heard that Bernie Ward, a carer for a family member, had convictions which were more than 15 years old. Bernard McDonagh was now engaged in a travel mediation initiative, and documentation of his participation would be made available.

The four men sat silently for most of the hearing until they were called one by one to come forward and answer “yes” to affirm their guilty pleas.

Judge Connolly mandated a probation report for each man and asked that a victim impact statement be furnished to the court.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 14th next.