A DISPUTE between two Clonakilty families that turned violent saw a dad-of-two sent to prison for affray, criminal damage and producing a knife.

Englishman Mark Fail (37), appeared at Clonakilty District Court charged with a number of offences relating to heated arguments in front of his home on Molaga Street, Clonakilty.

The court heard that during the early hours of November 15th 2024, Anna Siwek and her daughter Natalia turned up at Fail’s doorstep because of rumours they had heard that had upset them.

It was revealed in evidence that Natalia’s ex-boyfriend, Bradley Williamson, had texted her that night and alleged that her mother Anna had in the past been sleeping with Mark Fail.

On the witness stand Natalia’s brother Karol said: ‘They were really foul messages and she was very upset. I don’t think I can repeat them here. She was crying and my mother and sister decided to go to Mark Fail’s house.’

The court heard that mother and daughter confronted Mark Fail’s partner Emily Jackson about the rumours, demanding to speak to Mr Fail. Ms Jackson’s two children and Mr Fail were woken up by the loud argument that ensued.

Giving evidence, Anna Siwek said: ‘Emily said Mark Fail is not here because he does not live here any more. We started leaving and Mark Fail came out of the house with a baseball bat. His partner told us to go away, and I just remember Mark Fail hitting me in the leg. It was dark but I think it was a baseball bat.’

Plunkett Taaffe, defending, addressed Mrs Siwek: ‘It was not Mark Fail who messaged you that night. And still you decided to go to this house unannounced and challenge him about the allegations.’

Mrs Siwek said: ‘I shouldn’t have done that, it was emotional.’ Mr Taaffe added: ‘You lunged at him and he pushed you away with his foot. Whatever way you spin this, you arrived early in the morning, unannounced and uninvited, to sort out something somebody had told you.’

Video footage of the incident was captured by Natalia Siwek and shown to Judge Joanne Carroll as evidence, with shouting and swearing throughout.

Emily Jackson, who had been sleeping ahead of an early morning shift at work, said: ‘I had been in bed since 9pm. They were dressed in black and shouting at me. They weren’t exactly coming for a cup of tea, that’s for sure.

‘It was not a baseball bat, it was a stick wrapped with foam so that it could not hurt anybody.’

Karol Siwek said: ‘The next day Mark texted me saying I’m going to see you soon, bro. Your mum and sister came over to mine last night. I sent him a voice note saying I will see you outside your house in 30 seconds, let’s sort it out like men.’

The court heard that Mr Siwek drove to Mark Fail’s house on the afternoon of November 15th 2024. Karol Siwek said: ‘Mark Fail did not get a chance to assault me. When I saw the knife I started running away. When I fell backwards he tried to knife me.’

In evidence Mark Fail said the knife Mr Siwek had brought was a steak knife with a black handle, about six inches long.

‘I got the knife off him with my hands and I did not do as much as punch or kick him.’

The court heard that, after the fight Mr Fail went into his house and returned with a hammer, smashing the windows of Mr Karol’s car.

Neighbours were out on the street and witnessed the altercation.

Judge Carroll sentenced Mark Fail to four months in prison for criminal damage, four months for affray and four months for producing a knife.

All terms are set to run concurrently and backdated to October 21st.

A charge of failure to appear in court was taken into consideration.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.