Gardai detain 46 following dawn raids

In one of the largest Garda operations ever witnessed in Westmeath, a total 46 individuals were detained in dawn raids on Monday moring in relation to the Dalton Park riots.All of the detainees were subsequently charged with violent disorder arising out of last July"s riots in the Mullingar housing area and they ferried to a specially convened sitting of Mullingar District Court.After two weeks of planning, 70 Gardai mainly from the Westmeath area, backed up by the Dog Unit and Garda Air Support Unit, swooped on a number of residences in Mullingar on Sunday night and Monday morning.Over three dozen people were arrested during the raids while at least three other individuals handed themselves in at Mullingar District Court on Monday morning.All of the defendants, 45 men and one woman, were charged with violent disorder at Dalton Park on July 29, 2008. A small number of the men were also charged with possession of weapons during the incident.A large Garda presence ensured tight security was kept during the court hearing. Members of the public were searched on entering the District Court and some family members of the accused were refused access to the court during the sitting.One member of the Gardai filmed the scene outside the Court House with a camcorder while the Garda Helicopter flew overhead as the defendants were brought into the court. The filming continued outside the court at different times of the day.On at least two occasions during the sitting, Judge John Neilan asked Inspector Jarlath Folan whether there were security issues of concern. He was informed that the situation was under control.All of the 46 defendants were granted bail ranging from cash sums of €250 to €3,000 to independent sureties of €6,000, depending on the charges and circumstances relating to the individual.In total, in excess of €40,000 in cash was handed over to court staff as all of the defendants made bail.One defendant, Christopher "Ditsy" Nevin, gave a two fingered salute to waiting cameramen as he left the Court House having been released on €1,000 bail.All of the defendants were released on strict bail conditions which included a prohibition on congregating in public in groups of two or more, an exclusion order barring the defendants from entering Dalton Park, Ennell Court and Grange Crescent, save for defendants who resided in one or other of the estates.Judge Neilan also barred the defendants from all licensed premises in the state and imposed curfews on all but the female defendant.Judge Neilan remanded all of the defendants on bail to reappear before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court on Monday, February 12 next.