Rathmullan ice cream vendors in court over ongoing incidents

Two Donegal ice cream vendors appeared in court following a serious of alleged incidents.

Jim Chambers (61), of The Glebe, Letterkenny, and Stephen Cole (39), of Trentabuoy, Drumkeen, who each operate an ice cream van in Rathmullan, have been charged with public order offences.

The pair were before a recent sitting of Falcarragh District Court.

No details of any alleged incident were given in court.

Inspector Seamus McGonagle said the matter has been ‘ongoing’.

“Once the sun sines, the problems arise,” Inspector McGonagle said.

“This takes up a considerable amount of Garda time.

“We do have a genuine concern that the matter could escalate and become more serious.”

Barrister for Chambers, Mr Peter Nolan, suggested that the cases could be adjourned for a year and the men could be bound to the peace.

“Both have an ice cream selling business and difficulty arose in tit-for-tat interference with one another,” Mr Nolan said.

“Both of them need to learn to live together in the same business.”

Mr Kieran Dillon, solicitor for Cole, said there were two sides to every story.

“He just wants to live in harmony,” Mr Dillon said. “He doesn’t want difficulty to arise. Conduct will be relevant and any misconduct will be taken into account.”

Judge Deirdre Gearty explained that she was unable to bind the pair to the peace as she had not heard any evidence.

Judge Gearty adjourned the matter.

“It is hanging over peoples’ heads and this is a perfectly good disincentive,” Judge Gearty said.

“I will adjourn it and allow the ‘danger period’ to come and go. The Gardaí have liberty to re-enter the matter at all stages”