A man who had three timber bats was on his way to "mediate" in a Travellers' row, his solicitor said in court yesterday.
Mr Joseph Joyce, of Farnagh, Moate, Co Westmeath, admitted having three timber weapons last June, which were intended for use in a public disturbance.
"He was more or less acting like Senator George Mitchell," the man's solicitor, Mr Hugh Campbell, told Ballinasloe Court. Mr Campbell said his client was on his way to a dispute between the Ward and McDonagh families when his van was intercepted by gardai.
"He was hardly going to play rounders or baseball," remarked Judge James O'Sullivan. He gave Mr Joyce the benefit of the Probation Act.