Four men and teenager bailed over violent brawl at Derry/Londonderry filling station

By Q Radio News

A court has heard that an incident  at a filling station in Derry was linked to a 'feud' between two families from the Traveller community.

The court heard that the violents scenes, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media, was linked to a dispute between members of the 'Derry Stokes' and the 'Longford Stokes'. 

Four men and a teenage boy charged in connection with the incident were granted bail when they appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court

Three members of one family, who are originally from Longford but currently have addresses in Derry, were among the five defendants.

Kevin Stokes (28) of Ballyarnett Park, is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, affray, possession of weapons including a saw blade, baton, jimmy bar, an axe and a garden fork.

He is further accused of possessing a crossbow with intent to commit an indictable offence.

His brother, 23-year-old Dylan Stokes, of Racecourse Road, is charged with dangerous driving, no driving licence and no insurance, and a 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named as a result of his age, is accused of affray and possession of offensive weapons.

The other defendants are 19-year-old Charles McDonagh, with an address of Donegal Road, Ballybofey, who is charged with dangerous driving and possessing offensive weapons and 25-year-old Martin Mongan, of Ballyarnett Camp, is accused of possessing a stanley knife.

The court was told that the incident on August 17 was captured on CCTV and videos of the alleged incident have been shared widely on social media.

The officer told the court the CCTV showed men armed with weapons, including a crossbow and a pitchfork, vehicles being attacked and a collision in which a female member of the public sustained a fractured sternum.

She said some of those allegedly involved also went into a shop while in possession of weapons.

It is alleged that a sixth person arrested by police was knocked down by a car fleeing the scene. He remains in hospital after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull.

The court heard further allegations that Kevin Stokes hit this man several times with a crossbow while he was lying on the ground.

He remains in hospital after undergoing surgery for a fractured skull.

A defence barrister, acting for Kevin Stokes, said that the members of the Stokes family from Longford had been living in Derry for the last 20 months without any incident.

However, he said that on Tuesday they were fleeing from the city because they became aware of a threat from the Stokes family based in Derry.

The barrister claimed his client, his brother Dylan and other members of the family were doing this when they were 'ambushed' by members of the 'Derry Stokes'.

He said that his client had made police aware of the threats and had asked for a police escort when they were leaving the city.

The investigating officer confirmed Kevin Stokes had made this case during interview and while police did not agree to provide an escort, they had agreed the route the Stokes would take.

However, the officer said the family did not take this route, but went another way.

The officer confirmed that two caravans left behind at Ballyarnett Camp by members of the 'Longford Stokes' were destroyed by arson on Wednesday.

Opposing bail for all five defendants, the investigating officer said it is 'clear that this matter between two factions is not resolved.'

She said that tensions are still high and there is a strong likelihood of retribution being sought.

The officer added there are genuine concerns of further offences and there is a potential that other members of the public could be inadvertently caught up in them, as they were earlier this week.

The officer said police believe the 'attack was planned and anticipated' given some of the weapons involved.

She told the court police also have concerns that the defendants may interfere with witnesses and not turn up for trial.

Deputy District Judge Sean O'Hare released all five defendants on bail, subject to conditions, including a £1,000 cash surety and a prohibition on having any contact with the alleged injured party's.

The defendants will appear in court again on September 16.