Brothers produced weapons during a row in Louth linked to a feud

Two brothers who produced weapons during a row linked to feud with another family, have been sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Court.

Bernard Joyce (28) and Martin Joyce (29) with addresses at the time at Woodland Park, Dundalk had each pleaded guilty to affray and production of an article in the course of a dispute at Woodland Park on April 17th 2020.

Both defendants and their brother Kieran were involved in the public order incident, which the court had previously heard involved the three men shouting at members of another family.

The name calling progressed to weapons being produced, with Bernard Joyce armed with an iron bar and Martin Joyce carrying a steel wheel brace.

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Their brother, who had a slash hook with him, was previously given a suspended sentence for his role in the incident.

The court heard that Martin Joyce had 22 previous convictions including one for violent disorder in 2018 for which he received a five month suspended sentence.

Bernard Joyce had moved from Dundalk to Drogheda to avoid anti-social behaviour and no longer communicates with his two brothers and while he has engaged in drug use in the past, he has not for a number of years and was found suitable for community service.

Bernard Joyce had eight previous convictions, and had his sentencing adjourned several times to allow him fully engage with the Probation Service.

This year he'd failed to attend three appointments, and when given a further opportunity to attend one, he claimed he had missed it due to his mental health.

Judge Dara Hayes sentenced Bernard Joyce to 180 hours community service within the next 12 months and warned him if he failed to complete the order or engage satisfactorily he'd serve two and a half years.

Judge Hayes said there was nothing before the court to suggest significant steps in rehabilitation had been taken by Martin Joyce, who he sentenced to two years and two months with the final 12 months suspended.