Post-All-Ireland row is different sort of ball game

A Galway farmer has denied kicking his neighbour in the testicles during an argument about noise from baling machinery late on All-Ireland football final night.

Published 30th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST Updated 30th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST An argument arose about noise from baling machinery A Galway farmer has denied kicking his neighbour in the testicles during an argument about noise from baling machinery late on All-Ireland football final night. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Peter Dunne of Urraghry, Aughrim, Ballinasloe , appeared before Ballinasloe District Court last week, where he denied assaulting his neighbour, Gerry Mulkerrins, at Fairfield, Aughrim, Ballinasloe, on July 28, 2024.

Prosecuting Sergeant Christy Browne said the injured party, Gerry Mulkerrins, was in bed that night after 11pm when he was disturbed by noise from his neighbour’s farm.

Sergeant Browne said the accused – who was charged with Section 2 simple assault – was using industrial machinery to pack and stack bales of silage.

Sgt Browne said the “beep, beep, beep” warning sound of farm machinery reversing caused a disturbance and interrupted his neighbour’s sleep.

Mr Mulkerrins said his family has lived in that house for almost 100 years.

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He got out of bed at 11.15pm after being disturbed by noise from his neighbour, who was unloading bales from a tractor.

Mr Mulkerrins said this was “unnecessary work at that hour of the night” and he went to the field and asked Mr Dunne to stop.

Mr Mulkerrins, a retired Eircom worker, said Mr Dunne came for him with a boot and he was left lying “on the ground for a while”.

Sergeant Browne clarified that it is alleged Mr Dunne “kicked him in his testicles”.

Mr Mulkerrins insisted to Judge James Faughan that there was no spleen between him and his neighbour before that night. “I have nothing to do with that man,” he said.

However, Mr Dunne alleged there was history between the pair, and claimed he reported issues to Ballinasloe Garda Station last year, but they were not investigated.

Mr Dunne said he was doing farm work with his son, Niall, later than usual because he was delayed watching the All- Ireland football final which Galway lost to Armagh.

Mr Dunne agreed there was ‘pushing and shoving’ as he and his son were confronted by their neighbour about noise. They tried to push Mr Mulkerrins out the gate of his land, he said.

He claimed Mr Mulkerrins ‘fell against the step of the tractor’ during the incident investigated by Garda Harish Yarmoradi but Mr Dunne denied he kicked him in the testicles.

“No, that didn’t happen,” he insisted under cross-examination by Sergeant Browne.

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Defence solicitor Martina Moran said the time of the alleged incident was disputed and video and photos taken by Niall Dunne had earlier time- stamps on them.

Judge Faughnan adjourned to June 25 to allow Gardaí to investigate any history between the pair.

Both parties were excused on that date and will return for a hearing at a later date.

Related topics: Ballinasloe Ireland Assault Work History Family Video Stamps Gardaí Galway Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.