'Gypsy's curse' removed from Garda

AnonoBoy wrote: »

'Gypsy's curse' removed from Garda

A Donegal Garda has told how she had the 'Gypsy's curse' put on her by the occupants of a car after she discovered the driver was not insured to drive.
Garda Elaine Kavanagh told Glenties District Court she felt uneasy after the incident and during Friday's hearing at Glenties Court the Garda was told the curse had been removed and was "the work of fiction". The court heard anything that was said on the night to the prosecuting Garda was "unconditionally withdrawn".

Garda Kavanagh stopped a car being driven by Charlie Ward, 6 Slieve More Drive, Sligo at Drumnasillagh, Glenties on July 20th last. The passenger in the car, Martina Ward, an aunt of Charlie Ward, produced a certificate of insurance but Garda Kavanagh said it covered her to drive, but not Charlie Ward.

The Garda went on to describe how the occupants in the car became abusive towards her and they then put the 'Gypsy's curse' on her.


Garda not happy with curse

Asked by Judge Seamus Hughes how she felt about that, Garda Kavanagh said she wasn't happy about it. And while defending solicitor, Frank Dorrian suggested the 'Gypsy's curse' was the work of fiction, Garda Inspector Sylvie Henry insisted there should be an apology for what was said.

Mr. Dorrian, after consulting the defendants, said Martina Ward of 21 Rathbraughan Park, Ballytivnan, Sligo claimed the 'Gypsy's curse' was just "a load of nonsense" and what was said on the night was "unconditionally withdrawn".

The solicitor said Martina Ward had taken counsel on the matter of the insurance from members of her family and she genuinely felt the certificate covered her nephew to drive.

Garda Kavanagh said she also believed the insurance matter was a misunderstanding, adding that Charlie Ward was insured to drive his own car.

When prompted by her solicitor to offer an apology to the Garda for what was said on the night, Martina Ward said she was sorry and told the Garda she was "under no curse".

Judge Hughes adjourned the case until February 26th next to allow time for a payment of 250 euro to be made to the Garda Benevolent Fund. He indicated that he would strike out the matter if the money was paid.

Ann22 wrote: »

Ah now, it's my best friends Granny, I knew the woman well.. it's hardly passed on through a million people:).. I suppose the woman serving in the shop (witnessing the 'curse) might have exaggerated but the woman did wish her bad luck at the very least and it turned out she did have more than her fair share of tragedy.

I'm sure it didn't cause what happened..but some things can play on a susceptible mind. I'd be annoyed if someone said they were cursing me, I'd be worried about my family:(..but I've quite a strong faith so I'd say a few prayers and convince myself I was ok.
I think some people really believe in that kind of thing and maybe convince themselves they're jinxed so every sh1t thing that happened would be blamed on the hex.

My mother says years ago, her generation would've placed a lot of store in curses.. When she was a child, she was from Cavan. Her dad used to ride a bike up to Dundalk to help his brother out on his farm(fcukin' hell, he must've been nackered!).

One day a gypsy woman stopped him on the road and offered to tell his fortune. He gave her something and when she told him some stuff she wouldn't tell any more 'til he crossed her palm with more dosh. He hadn't any more to give her and she told him she'd curse him.

Mam said he had no luck since, bad crops in his own fields, cattle dying and children with weak chests..but when you look at his life overall- he had a good wife (20yrs his junior who battered the kids with a 'potstick' so I'm told:()raised a decent family, who are all still alive:). His luck wasn't that bad probably similar to the families living around the area.