Irish father and son confront police with pitchfork in ‘scene from the Wild West’

Kilrush District Court heard that 'all hell broke loose' after the police followed father Denis Waters, 53, back to his farm from the pub on suspicion of drink-driving. Mr Waters had been in the pub ‘for a few drinks’ and was planning on getting a lift home when he received a call from son Brian Waters, 25, to come help with a difficult calving.

The sergeant on duty, Louis Moloney, said Mr Waters senior sped off from the pub in Tullycrine in the direction of Kilrush. The police then activated the blue lights and siren and followed in pursuit but Mr Waters refused to pull over. Then Mr Waters brought the car to a halt by the farmhouse then the police made to make an arrest on suspicion of drink-driving. However the police could not get near the farmer who grabbed a calving jack and started swinging it around, nearly striking officer Gerard Summerly’s head.

Then son Brian Waters pushed Officer Summerly back several times before heading into the shed. The younger Mr Waters then reappeared brandishing a pitchfork declaring 'I am going to give it to you' to Officer Summerly.

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Confronted by a Mr Waters prodding his pitchfork at the officer he had 'no option but to deploy his pepper spray in a bid to protect himself' Sgt Molony told the court.

Father Dennis Waters then made his escape into the night running behind the farm over the fields. However the next morning Mr Waters presented himself to the local police.

Judge Larkin imposed a six-year driving ban on Denis Waters of Lacken, Kilmihil after he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a four-year driving ban for dangerous driving. He was also fined €800.

Judge Larkin said: “Denis Waters should not have been driving. He should not have been driving without insurance and probably not drink-driving.” Brian Waters has pleaded guilty to producing a pitchfork during the course of a dispute and obstructing a garda during the course of his duties. He will be sentenced after a probation report.

Brian Waters worked as a mechanic and on farm part time. His defence solicitor said “They have a suckler herd which is very much hands on and needs 24-hour attention at certain parts of the year. Brian reacted very badly to the situation." He added that Brian Waters had no previous convictions and said when Denis Waters presented himself to the local superintendent, the superintendent agreed that what happened was totally out of character.

Judge Larkin said: "If it was the Wild West you would say something but this is supposed to be a civilised country.”