SEVEN members of the one extended family, who have been charged with a range of offences connected to an alleged feud, have been told to return to court in two separate groups for the preliminary enquiry (PE). 

Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday that some of the men were witnesses in the case against the other, and as such it would not be practical for them to appear in court at the same time. 

A total of six men and one youth are charged in connection with what was described by defence solicitor Myles McManus as “events spread over hours on the same day.” 

Hugh Crumlish (22) of Coolcullen Meadow, Enniskillen, Martin Crumlish (26) also of Coolcullen Meadow, Patrick Crumlish (56) of Main Street, Belcoo, and a youth who cannot be named are each charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a pick axe handle, and with possessing a blade, namely a sword, at Coolcullen Meadow on November 9 last. 

Also on November 9, Patrick Crumlish (27), of Labre Park, Derry, Sylvester Crumlish (60) Oakfield Court, Enniskillen and his son Sylvester Crumlish Jnr (19), also of Oakfield Park, are charged with criminal damage to a Volkswagen Golf belonging to Mary Crumlish, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a baseball bat and claw hammer on Wellington Road, riotous behaviour at Wellington Road, two counts of threats to kill Martin and Hugh Crumlish, and aggravated burglary at Coolcullen Meadow with the intent to carry out GBH as they entered the premises with a bill hook and wheel brace. 

Patrick Crumlish and Sylvester Crumlish Jr are further charged with common assault and possessing a sword and wheel brace. 

Mr McManus, who is representing Martin, Patrick and Hugh Crumlish, asked for his clients to be dealt with on separate days from the remaining four family members, who are being represented by barrister Ciaran Roddy, as they are each witnesses in the cases against each other. 

Deputy District Judge Mark Hamill was critical of the way in which the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) had handled the case, listing all the men together, and said it would be “a shambles” and “a nonsense” when it came before the Crown Court. 

Stating that “someone in the PPS will have to think about this”, Judge Hamill granted two separate dates for both sides to appear before the court for their preliminary enquires (PE), ordering Mr McManus’ clients to return on June 6 and Mr Roddy’s clients to return on June 13.