Court archive
Court reports mentioning Ballymore, Westmeath
2017-03-10 · Galway
During the second day of Andresj Krauze's murder trial, the jury heard that his brother, Sergejs Krauze, had been convicted of manslaughter in the death of Juris Buls. Garda Cormac Bane presented CCTV footage from Glenamaddy showing a maroon‑coloured Honda Accord, similar to Sergejs's car, arriving an hour after Buls' girlfriend left his home. The footage also suggested a black Audi, Buls' vehicle, was seen driving around four hours after Buls was last seen alive. The prosecution alleged that Buls was killed in his home by Andresj Krauze shortly after the Honda arrived, and that his body was taken to a wooded area 7 km outside Glenamaddy. The case was heard by a jury of six men and six women, and the trial continues before Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan. Andresj Krauze pleaded not guilty.
2016-05-10 · Westmeath
A High Court jury in Co. Westmeath awarded €13,000 in damages to Fergal O'Rourke, 62, after finding he was assaulted during an arrest on 12 July 2009 at a checkpoint in Ballymore. O'Rourke alleged that Garda Darren Murphy kicked, grabbed his throat, punched him, and struck him with an implement while he was on the ground and handcuffed. He also claimed Garda Joanne McGhee did not assault or injure him. The jury, after more than three hours of deliberation, concluded that Murphy had negligently inflicted injuries and intentionally caused emotional distress, and that reasonable force was not used. McGhee was found not to have assaulted or injured O'Rourke. The award was made by Mr Justice Colm MacEochaidh. O'Rourke had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to provide a specimen after his arrest. The case involved a three‑day trial with photographic evidence of his injuries.
2016-05-05 · Westmeath
In a 2016 case, Fergal O'Rourke, aged 62, sued the State and the Gardai Commissioner for assault and battery after an arrest on 12 July 2009 at a Ballymore checkpoint. He alleged injuries, a lame leg, and nervousness following the incident. The Gardai denied excessive force, stating O'Rourke was arrested after his jeep performed a u‑turn at the checkpoint, left the vehicle, and attempted to escape. Garda Darren Murphy, one of the arresting officers, testified that he used his baton three times to secure O'Rourke, who was described as dishevelled, aggressive, and intoxicated. O'Rourke denied losing his temper or that the force was unreasonable. The trial before a jury and Mr Justice Colm MacEochaidh was ongoing.
2016-05-04 · Westmeath
In a High Court hearing, 62‑year‑old Fergal O'Rourke from Mullaghcloe, Ballymore, claimed that while handcuffed and on the ground after his arrest on 12 July 2009, a Garda struck him several times with a weapon and another Garda grabbed him by the throat. He said the incident left him with injuries requiring hospital treatment and a lame leg, and that it made him nervous. O'Rourke also alleged that he was kicked and punched, then taken to Athlone Garda Station and later to A&E in Ballinasloe. The defendants denied the allegations, stating O'Rourke was arrested after his vehicle performed a u‑turn at a Garda checkpoint, that he resisted arrest and kicked a Garda, and that the Garda used a baton in self‑defence. O'Rourke testified he had no intention of striking a Garda, had been trying to escape, and had previously pleaded guilty to refusing a breath‑sample after arrest.