“MIDNIGHT DONNYBROOK"

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 4

“MIDNIGHT DONNYBROOK"

FAMILY MIX-UP ON TOMAHAWK ROAD

MALE FIGHTERS FINED WJiat was described as a “midnight Donnybrook ” took place on the lonely Tomahawk road on Boxing night. It was tho old trouble of family interference with the love affairs of a young couple, and, as counsel for the defence (Mr Hanlon) remarked, nothing would have been known about it had each party not come along and reported the matter to the police. As the result of these complaints Robert Johnston, Madeline Johnston, Mignonette Grindley, Robert Kerr, and Maria Kerr were this morning charged before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., with having fought on Tomahawk road.

Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared for Robert Johnston, Madeline Johiistou, and Mignonette, Grindley, the other defendants not being represented by counsel. With tho exception of Mignonette Grindley, who pleaded not guilty, all of the defendants pleaded guilty. According to Sub-inspector Fahey, about 11 pim. on December 26 the defendants Kerr were going homo to Tomahawk, and when Johnston’s car passed thorn the latter pulled up. Johnston got out and asked Mrs Kerr if she knew whore Mrs Kerr lived. This elicited tho information that the lady approached was Mrs Kerr herself, Mrs Johnston then making the assertion that Mrs Kerr’s daughter was going out with her son, which Mrs Kerr denied. Mrs Johnston called Mrs Kerr a liar, and the fight started. According to the statements made to the police they were all mixed up in the right. . . . “This is a case which it is rather surprising that tho police are in,” said Mr Hanlon in opening.

Sub-inspector Fahey: “It was on the public highway, your Worship.” “1 know that,” responded Mr Hanlon, “ but tho police were not there.” The parties may want to settle their differences by proceedings at a later stage. It seemed to be a most venial case, he continued, the whole row being caused over the son and daughter of the different parties. There was nobody about at the time, and it was almost midnight. The Magistrate; “Was anyone injured?’-’ The Sub-inspector: “Mrs Kerr had a very had black eye.” Mr Hanlon said that Miss Grindley did nothing at all except to pull one of the Kerrs away from her sister. The trouble seemed to bo that a boy of fourteen was out too late with the daughter of the other side. “They chose a very out-of-the-way place for their row ” concluded Mr Hanlon. The charge against Mignonette Grindley was dismissed, Robert Johnston and Robert Kerr each being fined 10s, Maria Kerr and Madeline Johnstone being convicted.