From the Kerry archives, July 7, 2000: Courtroom fight, Ballybunion runs out of beer & Kelly talks GAA Presidency
A mass brawl erupted in Tralee District Court on Wednesday morning moments after four defendants, including a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, were sentenced for their involvement in a high speed car chase through the town during which a Garda patrol vehicle was rammed.
The incident appeared to be sparked when a woman who had been sitting in the public gallery attacked the girl, who had been the only defendant not to receive a custodial sentence. Within seconds, between 12 and 15 members of the public were fighting, with punches being thrown as people climbed over the court benches to join in the fracas.
In the midst of the melee, the girl was pushed or struck to the ground.
As the rest of the courtroom looked on in amazement, five Gardaí attempted to restore order. At least one man involved in the fight tried unsuccessfully to punch a Garda.
One man was arrested as a result of the incident. As he was handcuffed and led away, he shouted-obscenities at both the legal system and the Gardai who he accused of trying to lynch him.
When the fighting broke out, Judge Humphrey Kelleher immediately left the courtroom. The case, which arose out of an incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning, had earlier been described as extremely serious by prosecuting Inspector Barry O'Rourke, who said that it was part of the current rash of car thefts plaguing Tralee.
Ballybunion runs out of beer during Irish Open
Bring back the Murphy's Irish Open as soon as possible!
That was the unanimous verdict this week from Ballybunion's business community — particularly its publicans, many of whom ran out of beer on Saturday night as thousands of thirsty punters thronged the North Kerry resort over the weekend.
Ballybunion's debut as host club for the 2000 Irish Open was widely regarded as a resounding success. Murphy's Managing Director, Padraic Liston, declared it 'the best ever' as he handed the winner's trophy to 29-year-old Swedish golfer Patrik Sjöland beside the 18th green on Sunday afternoon.
Already, the business people of the town have declared that they want the tournament back within the next few years. But committee member Fintan Scannell said the club must wait until agronomist Tom Kavanagh assesses what damage was done to the course by the estimated 40,000 spectators who followed the tournament over four days.
Chairman of Ballybunion Development Company Kevin O'Callaghan said everyone involved in the tournament, particularly the Gardaí, who drew up an excellent traffic plan, could take a bow this weekend.
"Ballybunion has proven itself now and there is no reason why we couldn't host another major golf tournament in the future," he said.
A spectacular fireworks display and a street theatre production on Saturday night brough thousands of people into the town after the day's golf. Treasurer of the local vinter association, John Dee, said it was the biggest weekend the town had experienced in over thirty years.
"I've never seen anything like the crowds. We had run out of cider, Budweiser and Heineken on Saturday night and so did other pubs. From a vintners point of view, we'd love to have it back.
Fintan Scannell said the golf club may now set its sights on hosting the next Walker Cup in 2005.
Kelly to seek GAA Presidency
Kerry's Sean Kelly, current chairman of the Munster Council confirmed to The Kerryman on Wednesday that he would be allowing his name go forward for Presidency of the GAA in two years time.
Mr Kelly, who withdrew from the race last year in order to give former Minister Council chairman Noel Walsh a 'free run', said that upon withdrawing from the race then, he had indicated that it was his intention to run for the Presidency next time round.
"Once I am nominated by the Kerry County Board, I will be going for the Presidency," he said.
"We have never had a Kerry President of the Association and if I'm nominated, I will be making an all-out effort to be elected. The nomination is not due to come up for another year but it's fairly well accepted that I would run.'
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