News - Court

The judge praised the "massive" and "painstaking" investigation by an Garda Siochána that led to their arrest.

The accused was initially charged with sexual assault, but entered a guilty plea to three counts of gross indecency.

During the course of the investigation into the public disorder, Gardaí have recovered a number of items such as slash hooks, a machete, shovels and a samurai sword.

Gardaí are of the "firm belief" that the feud is "far from over and there will be reprisals from both parties.''

Defence for Mr Farrell stated the actions of his client were nothing more than a "split second of stupidity" he was now paying the consequences for.

Guo Zhong Chen, of 9 Belvedere Terrace, Mullingar, is charged with arson in relation to the Grafton Court Fire in Longford Town on the 28th of July.

Guo Zhong Chen has been in custody in Castlerea Prison since the 9th of August.

The court heard from investigating Garda Shane O’Connor how the accused attempted to flee arrest by jumping from a balcony 5 metres from the ground in a state of undress.

Millions of euro worth of damage were caused to the Grafton Court area in the aftermath of a major fire on Sunday the 28th of July.

The judge was told the unrest in the town allegedly started on July 4th over a debt worth 50 euro.

The issue came to a head on the 24th of January 2022 when Gardaí received reports of a disturbance related to large gathering of people at Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa off the Ballinalee Road.

Frank Kilbride of Aughakilmore, Ballinalee in Longford officially plead guilty to three charges under Money Laundering legislation.

These included a kitchen Knife and a machete, with local Gardaí stating the incident is related to feud violence.

He said he "hatched a plan" to knock down the gates of the embassy to put pressure on Russia and stop the war in Ukraine.