Jerry Brennan Snr (77) and his son, William Brennan (31) appeared before Bantry District Court charged in relation to the alleged incident at Ballyhalwick just outside Dunmanway in west Cork last Saturday night which left two of their sons/brothers in a serious condition in a Cork hospital with stab injuries.
Judge Brendan O’Reilly commented that: “The blood is up” after hearing that the bitter agrarian dispute dates back over 14 years.
Gardaí confirmed to the court that, in respect of the land feud within the family, they have had over 20 complaints reported to them since 2019.
Judge O’Reilly was warned, as Gardaí objected to bail for the father and son, that they are afraid the dispute is escalating despite all sides having engaged in mediation last year in a bid to resolve the feud.
Jerry Brennan Snr and William Brennan arrive at Bantry District Court
Jerry Brennan Snr and his son, William Brennan, of Longbridge, Ballyhalwick, Dunmanway, Co Cork are both charged with assault causing harm to John Brennan and Jerry Brennan Jnr at Ballyhalwick shortly after 7pm on Saturday night, August 17.
John and Jerry Jnr, who are brothers in their 30s, remain in a serious but stable condition in Cork University Hospital (CUH) after the alleged incident last Saturday night.
Jerry Jnr suffered a stab wound to his arm which damaged an artery.
John suffered a stab wound which punctured one of his lungs.
The charges are brought contrary to the Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
Both Jerry Snr and William are each separately charged with assault causing harm to John and Jerry Jnr.
The father and son also each face a single charge under the Firearms & Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
Evidence of William’s arrest, caution and charge was given to Judge Brendan O’Reilly by Detective Garda Jonathan O’Donovan.
Judge O’Reilly was told that when the knife possession charge was put to William Brennan he replied: “I did not do that. If I did not pull out the knife I would be dead right now.”
In response to the charge of assault causing harm to his brother, John, William replied: “I was acting in self defence or I would have been killed.”
After the charge of assault causing harm to his brother Jerry Jnr was put to him, William replied: “I was acting in self defence or I would have been killed. This is the second time he has attacked me and it has ended up in court.”
The possession of a weapon charge is brought contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms & Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.
Judge O’Reilly was told that the weapon involved was a form of fold-up hunting knife.
Garda Joseph Maher gave the court evidence of arrest, caution and charge in respect of Jerry Brennan Snr.
He said in response to the charge of assault causing harm to his son John that: “No, I do not know why I am being charged.”
In respect of the charge of assault causing harm to his son, Jerry Jnr, he replied: “I never assault him at all.”
When the possession of a weapon charge was put to him, he told the arresting Garda: “I did not intend to conceal it with all the excitement of what was going on.”
Judge O’Reilly was told that the weapon involved was a pocket knife with a blade of less than two inches.
Gardaí objected to bail in respect of both defendants.
Det Garda O’Donovan and Garda Maher said they were objecting to bail for a number of reasons including the serious nature of the charges, their fear of the impact on potential witnesses and the background of the family land feud.
Judge O’Reilly was told that the land feud involved dates back over 14 years.
“I don’t think they are listening to anyone at the moment,” Detective O’Donovan told the court.
The court heard that various contacts had been made with the family in a bid to resolve the matter including their engagement with mediation services last year.
“There are no bail conditions that will satisfy Gardaí,” he added.
William Brennan offered evidence in support of his bail application and said he would comply with any condition sought by Gardaí.
He told the court he was an electrical engineer who was currently working in the Netherlands.
It was offered to the court that he would agree to reside in the Netherlands and only attend west Cork for stipulated court appearances.
William Brennan warned the court that if he was refused bail he could lose his job.
“It would be the end of my life,” he told the court, referring to a remand in custody.
William Brennan was also helping look after his elderly parents when he visited Ireland with his father elderly and suffering from health issues while his mother is a cancer survivor.
Jerry Brennan Snr also applied for bail and said he would comply with any bail conditions requested by the Gardaí and imposed by the court.
“Of course, yes I would, yes,” he said.
Mr Brennan said he had a number of health issues and was an old age pensioner.
“(I do not have) good health – (I have) arthritis of the spine and diabetes.”
The court was told by Garda witnesses that the land feud involved has escalated despite the best efforts over recent years to resolve it.
“In the last five years more than 20 complaints have been reported to Gardaí, all involving the Brennan family and all involving the property at Ballyhalwick.
“There are no bail conditions that will satisfy the Gardaí,” Garda Maher said.
Judge O’Reilly refused bail and remanded the father and son in custody to appear again before Clonakilty District Court on Thursday.
Both were directed to appear in person before Clonakilty District Court.
Judge O’Reilly queried the nature of the land and the dispute involved.
He was told the property involved a house, some land and a farm yard.
“If I was to describe the situation as a feud over land and that the blood is up, would I be right?” the judge asked.
Gardaí confirmed to the judge that he was correct.
Both John and Jerry Jnr are recovering at Cork University Hospital (CUH) from serious injuries.
Both men, despite being injured and bleeding, were able to raise the alarm last Saturday night.
A relative of the injured men was alerted and brought the pair to Dunmanway Community Hospital.
However, the injuries involved were far too serious to be treated locally.
One brother was later rushed by air ambulance to CUH where he underwent emergency surgery.
He is now in a serious but stable condition.
The second brother was taken to CUH by ambulance.
He was also treated for serious injuries and remains in a stable but comfortable condition.
Gardaí immediately sealed off the scene of the incident.
A full technical and forensic examination of the scene was conducted by Garda experts including the study of dash cam footage and audio.