Two boxing brothers from Dublin were advised yesterday by a judge to keep their fights for the ring and not the courthouse.
Jimmy Sweeney (18), of Naas Road, Clondalkin, and Martin Sweeney (25), of Tamarisk Lawns, Tallaght, Dublin, who have represented Ireland at international fixtures, were given the opportunity to resolve their differences so that they would not end up facing each other across the courtroom.
Jimmy sought an order binding Martin to the peace arising out of what he said were threats of assault against him outside Drimnagh boxing club over an alleged attempt to arrange a bare-knuckle fist fight between Jimmy and another young man.
Jimmy told Dublin District Court that on December 13 last, near the Keeper Road boxing club, he was accosted by his brother who tried to force him to fight a man who was with him. Jimmy refused because he would end up losing his boxing licence.
Martin followed him in his car as he tried to get away and when he pulled in, his brother again threatened him but he still refused to fight.
As a result, Jimmy had been afraid to go training and had missed two international fixtures. "I don't want any trouble, I just want to get on with my training," he told the court.
Martin claimed he was trying to break up a fight between his brother and the other man. "I got him [the other man] and put him into my car and brought him home. When I went up to Jimmy in his car, he produced a Stanley knife and I backed off."
Martin said he had no interest in a fist fight because it would also jeopardise his career.
Judge Mary Collins said she hoped she would not see them facing each other again in court and made no order.