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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Off-duty garda got ‘paralytic drunk' at stag and assaulted hotel porter, court told
'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home' Caoileann Fitzmaurice (31)l leaves Ennis courthouse after escaping a conviction for an assault on a hotel porter during a 'stag' weekend in Ennis in January 2023 Photo: Press 22 An off-duty garda and former inter-county GAA star got 'paralytic drunk' during an 'alcohol-fuelled' stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter, a court in Clare has been told. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all." Judge Gabbett said: 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' The judge described Mr Fitzmaurice, who has represented Roscommon at senior inter-county football level, as having been on 'an alcohol-fuelled weekend'. Fitzmaurice (31), who is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Olufegun Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co Clare, on January 21, 2023. Caoileann Fitzmaurice (31)l leaves Ennis courthouse after escaping a conviction for an assault on a hotel porter during a 'stag' weekend in Ennis in January 2023 Photo: Press 22 News in 90 Seconds - June 27th Judge Gabbett said that he would not be imposing a conviction on Mr Fitzmaurice for the late-night assault and instead imposed the Probation Act on the man and made a compensation order for €5,000, which was handed over to Mr Lawal. He said would not convict Mr Fitzmaurice 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the Probation Services'. The manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice – who has no previous convictions – had met the case was 'an example to others'. 'He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation,' the judge said. It is a very, very good probation report. Mr Fitzmaurice's own insight into the offending is excellent which comes out in the report. 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' Mr Fitzmaurice was described by the judge as 'a very well educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology". 'There is obviously a significant future here for him in his current job with his qualifications.' Mr Fitzmaurice was 'mortified' by what occurred. 'He has received significant publicity for this crime, which is very difficult for his family, his club mates and his colleagues. 'I am very conscious of the notoriety that this case has brought him - unfortunately Mr Google will follow him around for a long time.' Judge Gabbett said he wouldn't expect to see Mr Fitzmaurice in a court again other than in his role as a state witness. It was never easy for a member of An Garda Siochana to be before the courts. Judge Gabbett said he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Siochana which, he said, would have to happen because it is an assault. The significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings would be to get Mr Fitzmaurice "off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Cian Kelly BL, counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice had met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. Mr Kelly said: 'Unfortunately having dealt with the minutiae of that disciplinary process, I am very conscious that minute differences have significant ramifications in that process.' Judge Gabbett said: 'The court has come as much as it can in terms of sanction.' State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey said: 'From the very outset, the victim wanted an acknowledgement that he had done nothing wrong and the accused was apologetic to him.' Mr Lawal opted not to provide a victim impact statement to the court. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Ms Comerford said on January 21, 2023, Mr Fitzmaurice was off-duty on the night and out with friends in Ennis. He was brought back to the Queens Hotel by a number of friends. Ms Comerford said: 'He was exceptionally intoxicated and in a confused state and was brought back by friends for the purpose of putting him to bed. 'But they left him in the care of hotel porter Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room. 'Unfortunately, Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented - he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal who was at all times trying to assist him picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times - once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning. 'The incident spilled out onto the street where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage." Mr Kelly previously said Mr Fitzmaurice attested as a garda in 2017. Prior to the Ennis incident, Mr Fitzmaurice was a garda on beat patrol and was currently on office duties Mr Kelly said that Mr Fitzmaurice was still heavily involved in GAA where he captains local senior football team Michael Glaveys in Roscommon.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Off-duty garda who assaulted hotel porter while 'paralytic drunk' avoids conviction
An off-duty Garda got 'paralytic drunk' after drinking sambucas during a stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter in Ennis, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all. 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' Caoileann Fitzmaurice, aged 31, stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co Clare on January 21, 2023. Judge Gabbett said he would not impose a conviction on Mr Fitzmauraice and instead imposed the Probation Act and made a compensation order for €5,000 for Mr Lawal. He said he was not convicting Mr Fitzmaurice of the offence 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the probation services'. Judge Gabbett said the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice — who has no previous convictions — has met the case 'is an example to others'. He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation. 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is a very well-educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology'. He said it is never easy for a member of An Garda Síochána to be before the courts. He said that he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Síochána which, he said, will have to happen because it is an assault. Judge Gabbett said that the significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings is to get Mr Fitzmaurice 'off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, Cian Kelly BL asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice has met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Due to Mr Fitzmaurice's intoxicated state, his friends left him in the care of hotel porter, Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room.' Ms Comerford said: 'Unfortunately Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented — he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal who was at all times trying to assist him picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times — once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. 'Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning.' 'The incident spilled out onto the street where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-county GAA star avoids assault rap after getting 'paralytic drunk' on stag
An off-duty Garda - who has represented Roscommon at senior inter-county football level - got 'paralytic drunk' after drinking sambucas during an 'alcohol-fuelled' stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter in Ennis, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett commented: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all." Judge Gabbett said: 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice was on 'an alcohol-fuelled weekend'. In the case, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, 31, who is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Olufegun Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis in Co Clare on January 21, 2023. Judge Gabbett said that he would not be imposing a conviction on Mr Fitzmaurice for the late-night assault and instead imposed the Probation Act on the man and made a compensation order for €5,000, which was handed over to Mr Lawal. Judge Gabbett said that he was not convicting Mr Fitzmaurice of the offence 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the Probation Services'. Judge Gabbett said that the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice - who has no previous convictions - has met the case 'is an example to others'. He said: 'He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation.' He said: 'It is a very, very good probation report. Mr Fitzmaurice's own insight into the offending is excellent, which comes out in the report. Judge Gabbett said: 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is a very well-educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology". He said: 'There is obviously a significant future here for him in his current job with his qualifications.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is mortified' by what occurred. Judge Gabbett said: 'He has received significant publicity for this crime, which is very difficult for his family, his club mates and his colleagues." He said: 'I am very conscious of the notoriety that this case has brought him - unfortunately Mr Google will follow him around for a long time.' Judge Gabbett said that he wouldn't expect to see Mr Fitzmaurice in a court again other than in his role as a state witness. He said that it is never easy for a member of An Garda Síochána to be before the courts. Judge Gabbett said that he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Síochána which, he said, will have to happen because it is an assault. Judge Gabbett said that the significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings is to get Mr Fitzmaurice "off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, Cian Kelly BL, asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice has met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. Mr Kelly said: 'Unfortunately having dealt with the minutiae of that disciplinary process I am very conscious that minute differences have significant ramifications in that process.' Judge Gabbett said: 'The court has come as much as it can in terms of sanction.' State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, said: 'From the very outset, the victim wanted an acknowledgement that he had done nothing wrong and the accused was apologetic to him.' Mr Lawal opted not to provide a victim impact statement to the court. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Ms Comerford said on January 21, 2023, Mr Fitzmaurice was off-duty on the night, was out with friends in Ennis and he was brought back to the Queen's hotel by a number of friends. Ms Comerford said: 'He was exceptionally intoxicated and in a confused state and was brought back by friends for the purpose of putting him to bed. 'But they left him in the care of hotel porter, Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room." Ms Comerford said: 'Unfortunately, Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented - he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal, who was at all times trying to assist him, picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times - once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. She said: 'Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning." 'The incident spilled out onto the street, where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage." Mr Kelly previously said that Mr Fitzmaurice attested as a Garda in 2017 and is stationed at Pearse Street Garda station. He said that prior to the Ennis incident, Mr Fitzmaurice was a Garda on beat patrol and is currently on Garda office duties. Mr Kelly said that Mr Fitzmaurice is heavily involved in GAA, where he is captain of his local senior football team, Michael Glavey's in Roscommon.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Wexford District Court round-up: Drug driving, business failing to keep staff records and threats to kill among cases heard
Drug Driving and Possession of Drugs Timothy Curry (30) previously of 3 Aldercourt, Ferns, Wexford, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and drug driving at Gorey District Court on June 26. The court heard that on March 24 2023 Garda McRory carried out a search warrant at the mobile home of Curry in Morristown, Kilmuckridge. Gardaí discovered cocaine to the value of €113, cannabis herb to the value of €140, and diazepam tablets to the value of €9. A search of the accused's apartment was then carried out where a further €80 of cannabis was discovered. Curry was also before the court in relation to no insurance and two instances of drug driving which Judge Kevin Staunton indicated 'speak for themselves' and Garda evidence was not given in relation to these matters. Donna Kelly BL told the court that in March 2023 the defendant's father had passed away and he was in a downward spiral at the time as it had a significant impact on him and his life. Ms. Kelly BL stated Curry works in construction and has a 13-year-old son and is aware that a driving disqualification will impact his day to day life. In circumstances where Curry has not come to Gardaí attention since Ms. Kelly BL asked the court to consider probation. Judge Kevin Staunton remarked that all of the drug possession charges relate to one specific date and noted that it was 'unsatisfactory' to be dealing with charges from March 2023 in June 2025. He applied the Probation Act in relation to the possession of cocaine and the possession of cannabis and diazepam were taken into consideration. Curry received a one-year ban for the drug driving incident of December 14 2021 and a two-year ban for drug driving on February 4 2023, a further two-year ban was then imposed for driving without insurance. Business Failed to Keep Time Records The court heard that a 'prep and go' meal company in Enniscorthy was not keeping correct time records of its employees. The owner of the company, Daniel Lane of Duffy Gate, Enniscorthy, Wexford, was not present in court for the hearing of the case. Evidence was given by a former workplace commissions inspector, Bernie Shelley, that on March 11 2023 she carried out an inspection of the sole trader where it was discovered that Lane had failed to keep records of the hours worked by the employees. There was no reply to the initial letter and reminder letters Ms. Shelley sent the accused instructing him to remedy the issue. The company came to her attention again on June 5 2024 when an employee submitted a complaint that they did not receive the correct annual leave. A further compliance notice issued for the employee to have their annual leave compensated which also went ignored. Judge Staunton ordered the accused pay a €2,500 fine with four months to pay. Road Traffic Matters A bench warrant was issued for Martin Patrick O'Brien (37) of 12 Nolan's Lawn, Enniscorthy, Wexford, for sentencing in relation to no insurance. O'Brien was driving on the Old Dublin Road on November 18 2024 when he was stopped by Garda Brophy for no insurance. The accused made admissions at the time and the vehicle was seized. Judge Staunton convicted O'Brien and issued a bench warrant for his sentencing. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more A Kildare woman plead guilty to drug driving. The court heard that Paloma Dos Santos Rodrigues (33) of 1 Abbey Court, Castledermot, Kildare, was stopped driving on the N80 Carrickduff on May 28 2024 where she carried out a fluid test that proved positive for cannabis. Garda Nolan confirmed Santos has no previous convictions. Judge Staunton stated that the accused 'made an error in judgement' and that people have not yet grasped the amount of time that drugs will stay in your system. The Judge imposed the minimum sentence of a one year disqualification. Bench Warrants A bench warrant was issued for Keith Hall (23) of 12 Kiezer House, High Street, Waterford, in relation to multiple road traffic matters including no NCT, no licence, no insurance, no L plates, and driving unaccompanied. There were also multiple bench warrants issued in the civil list under failure to comply: Shane Byrne of Inch, Blackwater, Enniscorthy, Wexford. John Travers of Ballinaslaney, Enniscorthy, Wexford. Sam Duggan of 48 Strandfield Manor, Spawell Road, Wexford. Anthony Dempsey of 26 Riverside, Ballinakill Downs, Waterford. Lisa Byrne of 52 Parnell Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. Road traffic matters There were three road traffic matters heard before Judge John King at Wexford District Court on June 16. A New Ross man was involved in a road traffic collision where he admitted to having no insurance. Raivis Komarovs (38) of Knockroe, New Ross, Wexford was involved in a car crash on January 4 2025 in New Ross where he admitted to not having insurance when Gardai attended, he was also charged with driving without L plates. Ravis was fined €500 with three months to pay and was also disqualified from driving for a period of two years. John Byrne (44) of Apartment 15, Millwood, Bunclody, Wexford, was charged with a speeding offence. On December 18 2024 Byrne was travelling 124km on the N25 to New Ross which is a 100km road. The court heard the accused has sixteen previous convictions, nine of which are road traffic related. Byrne was fined €400 with two months to pay. Edward Kehoe (63) of Fern Hallow, Clonleigh, Wexford, was before the court on speeding charges. Mr. Kehoe was travelling on the R731 on November 3 2024 at 91km when this is an 80km road. Kehoe has no previous convictions and was fined €200 with two months to pay. Public Order Shane Breen (38) of 3 Saint Joseph's Park, Marshalstown, Enniscorthy, was before Gorey District Court on June 18 on public order offences. Breen has 22 previous convictions, 19 of which are road traffic related. The court heard Breen was co-operative at the time of his arrest and Judge O'Connell fined €100 with three months to pay. An Enniscorthy man was charged with public order offences. Keith Murphy (33) of 10 Cluain Aiteann, Bree, Enniscorthy, Wexford, pleaded guilty to a public order offences on April 3 2025 where Murphy was alleged to be standing on a public road with no shirt on and shouting obscenities at Gardai. The court heard that on the day the accused was arguing with his partner and had drank too much. Murphy apologised for his actions. He has no previous convictions and in circumstances where Judge O'Connell remarked that his actions were 'very stupid' the accused was ordered to pay a €300 donation to Saint Vincent de Paul. The matter was adjourned to September 11 for payment to be made. Threat to Kill An Enniscorthy man was before the court to receive directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Pavlo Khlopov (32) of 4 Rectory Road, Enniscorthy, Wexford, was before the court on charges of a threat to kill. It was alleged that on January 1 2025 the Gardai were called to a house in Enniscorthy were the tenant was intoxicated. The court heard that an argument had broken out and Khlopov had pinned the tenant to a couch and held a knife to his face while making threats to kill him. The DPP directed summary disposal meaning the matter can be dealt with within the District Court and Judge O'Connell accepted jurisdiction. The matter has been adjourned to September 11 for the accused to plead guilty or to fix a date for hearing. Book of Evidence A book of evidence was served on co-accused Aivis Fadejevs (39) of 53 Bar an Ard, Coolcotts, Wexford, and Bobby Kelly (32) of Dooleys B&B, Barrick Street, Wexford when they appeared before Wexford District Court. Fadejevs has been charged with assault and the production of an article in the course of a dispute, whereas Kelly has been charged with assault. Both men were given an alibi warning by Judge Mark O'Connell and appeared at Wexford Circuit Court on June 18. Dog Attack on Neighbour's Cats A man was before Wexford District Court for charges under the control of dogs act. Patrick Murphy (64) of Bushpark, Pallas East, Enniscorthy, Wexford, was on his farm on November 3 2023 with his two German Shepard dogs. The court heard Murphy went to get something from his jeep and when he returned the two dogs were gone. Garda Behan gave evidence that on the day at 11am he received a report from the accused's neighbour that her cats were attacked on her property by the two dogs and one cat was killed. Gerry Flynn, solicitor for the accused, told the court that Murphy is a farmer in a rural area, one of the dogs involved is an older female which is licensed in the name of his son, and the younger male was licensed in his own name. On the morning when Murphy realised the dogs were missing he called the dog warden before finding them on his neighbour's property which is one mile from his own. The defendant apologised to the woman and waited for Gardaí to attend. Since the incident Murphy brought the dogs to the vets who recommended that the animals be split up. He subsequently sold the younger male to a suitable person in Limerick and still has the older female dog. Murphy is a man of no previous convictions and there was also no victim impact statement given to the court. In those circumstances, Judge Mark O'Connell ordered the defendant to pay €150 compensation to the injured party and the matter would then be struck out. Public Order A Dublin man was charged with a public order offence on Trinity Street, Wexford on February 15 2025. At a sitting of Wexford District Court, Garda Moran gave evidence that at approximately 5:45am he witnessed Karl McGurk (40) of 82 Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin, walking unsteady on his feet. Garda Moran told the court he was slurring his words and was highly intoxicated. McGurk has 55 previous convictions, the court was told. Judge O'Connell imposed a fine of €300 with two months to pay. Wayne O'Dwyer (36) of 14 Mountain View, Ballylynch, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary, was also before the court on public order charges. Garda Moran gave evidence that on February 21 2025 he discovered O'Dwyer asleep on South Main Street, Wexford, who was intoxicated at the time. The accused was said to have 29 previous convictions and was cooperative at the time of the arrest. Judge O'Connell imposed a fine of €200 with three months to pay. Road Traffic Matters A New Ross man alleged his wife was driving when his car was detected speeding. Wililam Connors of Stoneview House, New Ross, Wexford, was charged with driving 107km on the R731 Rathnew which is an 80km road. Connors told Wexford District Court that his wife was driving on the day in question and that he had emailed the Gardaí to tell them this. The original fine was €160 but increased as Connors was away on holidays when the original fixed penalty notice was issued. Judge O'Connell imposed the original fine of €160.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Owner of Cork hydro-electric plant has one charge dismissed against him over salmon protection
Progress has been made in works to prevent salmon becoming trapped in the waters around a hydro-electric plant on the River Lee and on Wednesday the owner was given the benefit of a dismissal of one charge under the Probation Act. Judge Joanne Carroll made this decision on one of the charges brought by Inland Fisheries Ireland against Dan Twomey who has a hydro facility on the River Lee, south of the old Cork waterworks and directly across the river from the Kingsley Hotel. However, further works are necessary. Judge Carroll said that if additional work was done to the satisfaction of Inland Fisheries by July 16 the second charge would also be dismissed under the Probation Act. If it is not done the judge warned that a fine of up to €4,500 could be imposed. The judge recalled that after hearing the case last December she found the facts proved and adjourned the case until Wednesday for penalty so that remedial works could be done. Grating that was three inches wide is now no more than two inches wide, it was confirmed by Charles O'Connor, defence solicitor. Senior IFI environmental officer Michael McPartland agreed this was done. The second issue was in relation to the padlocking of the gates. Solicitor for IFI Vincent Coakley said that not all the gates had padlocks. Mr O'Connor said the defendant would have all the locks in place in time for a joint inspection before the adjourned date in July. Mr McPartland said in December 2024, that at that time the grates needed to have bars with not more than two inches between them but that they were approximately three inches wide at this plant. Secondly, he said that there was a second breach in that some of the gratings were found open when inspected. These are required to be kept in good repair and in a manner preventing their opening or removal. Mr McPartland explained in relation to the salmon: 'If they get trapped in there they have no reverse gear to get out so the lifecycle will not be completed.' In relation to flood waters getting over the height of the grating, Mr Twomey said: 'There is floods in the river and then there is the Inniscarra Dam and I have no control of either – I'm not God.'
