Four Longford women charged with shopping centre car park affray appear in court

Four women charged with affray will have the charges against them return before Longford District court in July.

Bernadette Keenan (45) 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford, Nicole Keenan (23) 1 Richmond Court, Longford, Winnie Ward (22), 7 Richmond Street, Longford and Margaret Ward (24) 23 Palace Crescent, Longford were charged in respect of an incident at Longford Shopping Centre Car Park.

The four defendants were charged with affray and of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour as a result of the incident on May 3, 2023.

Previously the courts heard the women made no reply when the charges were put to them. Video footage of the alleged incident was widely shared online at the time.

When the matter was first before the court strict bail conditions were attached; including orders to refrain from uploading videos and “call outs” on social media, to obey an 11pm to 8am curfew and to sign on three times a week at Longford Garda station.

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Nicole Keenan and Bernadette Keenan were also ordered to have no contact either directly or indirectly with the Ward family including Winnie, Rosaleen, Margaret Ward and their partners.

Winnie and Margaret Ward were directed to desist from having any contact directly or indirectly with the Keenan family including Bernadette, Nicole, Tia Keenan and their partners.,

At last week’s District Court sitting solicitor John Quinn, representing the Keenans, said he had yet to receive disclosure, indicating that the matter was marked peremptory against the State at the last hearing.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said disclosure had been made by email to the solicitors in March. Solicitor Brid Mimnagh, acting for the Wards, informed the court she had received disclosure of the evidence against her clients.

Judge Patricia Cronin adjourned the matter to a sitting July 2 at which time a plea or a date for hearing would be decided.

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