by Linda Straker
- Workmen at Kavanagh site did not witness physical assault by entire family on Smith
- Smith/Kavanagh matter scheduled to be heard on 28 July
- Arley Gill, lawyer for the Kavanaghs, has expressed concern
Eyewitnesses to the incident involving Evan Smith and the Kavanagh family are disputing the claim that every Kavanagh family member physically assaulted Smith before the police arrived on the scene.
Smith’s wife, Nicole, claimed that on Thursday, 25 June 2020 her husband was driving a vehicle which ran over a dog causing its death. Her husband did not stop after running over the dog, but continued to a construction site to drop off staff. Kavanagh followed Smith’s vehicle, and she said that Kavanagh informed her husband about the incident, requested personal details such as contact numbers and address, and instructed him that he should not leave the scene because the police has been contacted. Kavanagh left Smith at the construction site and returned to the scene where the dog was killed, on the side of the road near Kavanaugh’s house construction site.
Relaying what transpired, Smith said her husband was going to drop off another worker at another site, but Kavanagh stopped the vehicle her husband was driving and removed the keys. At the same time, Kavanagh’s wife proceeded to stop Smith from exiting the vehicle by slamming the vehicle door towards him. This was followed by a physical assault by all 4 members of the family.
However, Jehron Felix, a workman at the Kavanagh house construction site, said that he did not witness any physical assault by the entire family on Smith. Felix, who acted as a peacemaker during the commotion, admitted that Sarah Hatton, Kavanagh’s wife, did approach the vehicle instructing Smith to remain in the vehicle until the police arrived.
Foreman for the project, Leslie Prime, who left the construction site, also confirmed that the children were instructed to remain in the family vehicle during the commotion. He did not see the entire family beating up Smith.
Arley Gill, the lawyer for the Kavanaghs, has expressed concern with the behaviour of persons who are not seeking to hear both sides of the story. “This is not a public trial by any means. All that we need to say is that what is on social media and broadcast in the news is a gross misrepresentation of what transpired.” Gill recently served as a magistrate in Dominica.
“Flagrant lies, blatant lies and what we heard so far has been far from the truth. What is the truth? The truth is there was absolutely no racism on the part of Mr Donal Kavanagh, his wife and children. There is absolutely no truth that the family of Mr Kavanagh beat up on anybody. If there were any such racial statements and slurs it did not come from the Kavanaugh family, it came from elsewhere. This incident has caused a lot of pain, a lot of heartache to the family. They have been threatened publicly through different social mediums. They have been attacked through their business via Facebook and elsewhere. There has been protest action without persons stopping and thinking or trying to find out what is the fact. The racial undertones that came here on the scene last Thursday never came from the Kavanagh family. I ask persons to deliberate and to think and to hear both sides of the story and do not come to conclusions. Let the matter be heard in the court. I ask also that persons will respect the Kavanagh family and cease the verbal abuse on social media and elsewhere. I tell you one thing, the first step in justice is the truth. Without truth, justice rings hollow.”
Within hours of the incident becoming a trending news item, a protest was organised by concerned citizens calling for justice for Evan Smith, while the Kavanaghs began receiving death threats via telephone and through Facebook messages.
The Kavanaghs then went to the South St George’s Police Station, but instead of filing a report, they were detained. They were officially charged on Sunday morning with causing harm to Evan Smith. The matter is scheduled to be heard on 28 July.
I am Grenadian, and I am totally appalled and embarrassed by the hate speech and racism attached to this story, mainly directed at Caucasians by my local brothers and sisters. Racism is not the issue here, assault is the issue. And the courts will decide on the outcome. Why has this been turned into a free-for-all and why is the rgpf not following through on some of the sick comments and threats posted on social media? Is it not a crime to spread hatred, racism and encourage violence? SMH
It is a delicate matter that required some privacy and resprct.
The media headlines have caused yhis issue.
The “assault” is definitely in question. But questionable.
The dog is sadly dead.
Hi Clive , I couldn’t agree with you more , as a fellow Grenadian living abroad it is disgusting to read some of the anger , ignorance , and hate that has been spewing out of the mouths of some of our fellow Citizen . Maybe this is a wakeup call for all of us to take a deeper look inside our hearts , we used to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean where visitors spoke highly of how wonderful our island and it people , now it seems that the chickens have come home to roost . This type of attitude and behavior will sure hurt us in the long run, we have displayed our form of Racism , the very same thing that we are accusing the perpetrator of doing , how does this make us any better we need to take the spook out of our eyes first so that we may see clearly ,before we try taking it out of the enemy eyes . This is not the Country and the people that I know visitors have spoken so highly off , after this has been settled and the dust has been cleared we will pay a price , I certainly hope that we are able to the out come.
This is not a race issue.
There are nasty people all over the world that mow down pet dogs when they think no one is looking and then tell a pack of lies to get away with it.
There is also a small minority of ignorance, bigotry and racism in every place. The hatred and racism attatched to this new story in no way is a true representation of Grenadians, it is a small, uninformed minority.
Modern ideas, quality education and clear commication are the key to these anarchic, worn out issues.
My husband and I have recently booked a long holiday in Grenada for us and our 3 children. (Grenada is advertised as the quiet, safe Carribean island for family holidays.
After reading this and other bad press we do not want to come there any more. We do not feel welcome or safe. We feel that we will be secretly resented and disliked by the locals.
We do not trust Grenadians and do not want a holiday there any more. We want our money back so that we can go somewhere else.
And who cares if you don’t come as he said she was playing with her dog why not have the dog on a leash in America you can walk your dog without one so go to Trinidad or Jamaica
Yes, it’s TRUE, there are horrible people everywhere but the horrible people on this island are targeting the visitors. So, no wonder they don’t want to come.
What if speeding motorist Evan Smith had run YOU over instead?
Would you be defending him then?
And what if he tried to flee the scene?
Would you have your excuses for him then?
And his aggressive and threatening wife.. How would you feel when she turns up?
You people deserve each other, so stick together and leave good people alone.
Part of the problem is you poor use of language and poor writing skills. This comment is confusing. You are not using sentence structure or explaining yourself properly.
No wonder Evan Smith and his wife have caused so much trouble over their wrong doing – you people cant communicate clearly without causing confusion.
Well look at ignorance. You don’t trust Grenadians because of bad press on a situation that have nothing to do with you? Should we trust you because of the bad press about foreigners? Should we trust that you are COVID free entering our safe island? I encourage you to cancel your “long holiday” and honestly hope you don’t get a refund. Our borders haven’t even opened yet! Hopefully the next place you go has zero recorded violence, altercations, injustices or bad weather – a holiday at fantasyland on cloud 9.
Ignorance is truly bliss.. smh
You are truly horrible people and you are showing your true colours. No one would want to visit a place where they are clearly hated and not wanted. I hope they get their refund and go to a nice place with nice people.
First of all, you don’t know me and if you know of my “people” you would know we are not ALL horrible. Stop generalizing. This is what shows YOUR colours and blatant ignorance. Second of all it’s simple really. Don’t come into a place where you feel you will be unsafe. Bless.
This is a peaceful and polite island. I am a white visitor stranded here by covid. I was concerned by all the hot headedness on social media but shouldnt have been. The Grenadans I meet in the street have been as courteous and helpful in the last few days as they have always been. This horrible incident has raised temperatures on both sides. The truth will probably lie between the 2 stories but the hot heads are not indictative of the amazing people you will meet here. This is a proud brilliant place.
If one story from a dubious source is enough for you to pass judgement on an entire nation, then perhaps you are better off holidaying elsewhere. The fact that you’ve made up your mind about Grenada even before you got here, indicates your unsuitability as guest and not us as host.
Thank God you and your family have decided not to come to Grenada .
It just shows how ignorant and small minded you are.
English Rose your name is a big give away.
I personally will not throw this Kavanagh family under the bus and they will have their day in court.
Read the whole comment section on this article. The racism and hatred penned by Grenadians is shocking. And so is some of the Grenadian press on this story – nowonder they dont want to come!
English Rose, Please remain wherever you are and maybe enjoy a staycation. I am sure Grenada will not miss out on your absence. If you are in fact a UK citizen did you feel fearful when EDL, BNP, (NF ask your parents) held marches throughout the UK? I guess not. I will not defend Grenada to you, your comments are nonsensical. I think you should worry about the family living off chicken nuggets and tin spaghetti who can’t afford a week away in a caravan at Camber Sands.
How many Grenadians did you place your trust in in the first place? How many have you spoken to about their experiences living in the UK? And its CARIBBEAN/
Good luck finding a country that doesn’t stand up for itself.
And
The movements you mention are all ancient history. We have moved on. Your country is still stuck in those ignorant times. All the Grenadian comments are ignorance and bigotry. Have you actually read this whole thread, 50 or 60 comments? These comments are pytting off the tourists.
It’s better for all racist people to stay in your racist countries we as a Caricom people do not need you and cov19 prove that, we have no room or tolerance for your racism against us for 400 years you have been doing this to us. we grow our own food, we are blessed with natural springs freshwater our beautiful beaches are for us to bath in, so tell me WHO NEEDS YOU.
Read the whole comment section on here. The rasist comments are coming from Grenada, its people and its press.
Hi Zola, just for the record, may I ask do you have any family member that have left the Country? and if so where are they, secondly , have you ever left Grenada, if so you wouldn’t be as close minded and narrow minded with making the statements you made . Its individuals like you with these foolish statements that will surely hurt the Tourism industry whenever that resumes, do you ever imagine what Grenada will be without visitors ,are you even aware of how many people depend on this industry to feed their family. You are a very selfish and disgraceful person we should be trying to help put out the fires ,instead you are an instigator of hatred and bigotry , in this world we all need each other ,so by you making those statements in the long run every man woman and child will fell the hurt , wake up and inspire not divide
Your witness didn’t see the whole family beating up the man but you were close enough to hear what was said. You expect anyone to believe that in the heat of the moment the parents calmly instructed the children to remain in the vehicle and they did?
If is was MY brother would be ME having to go before the court. WHITE PRIVILEGE; WHITE SUPREMACY is alive in Grenada. BURN that shit!!!
If they lie why would you beat someone so bad. That my question. Is that a lie beating someone so badly.
Your comment makes no sense. No wonder there is so much trouble when some people make no sense..
I totally agrees with you
I totally agrees with you English Rose is what BLM is all about.
Evan Smith and Wife.. Lies Matter!!
#acuffinthelipwasnotenough!!
Evan Smith and his wife have told a pack of shameful lies. They want compensation and to ruin this poor family. The poor family and their business have now been threatened and targeted on social media. I hope Evan Smith and his wife are punished in the court for all of this.
Evan Smith was speeding. The family’s dog was on the edge of their property playing with their young daughter. It looks like some construction work is also going on on the property.
Evan Smith was speeding, ran the dog over and also refused to stop. He then refused to wait at the scene. The dog owner took his key and moved his own van. Evan Smith approached the dog owner’s wife, frightened her and made her cry.
Then Evan Smith’s wife turned up. He lied to her and told her his lies about being assaulted by the whole family. Evan Smith’s wife then became rude and aggressive, shouting and threatening the poor family. And Evan Smith’s wife specifically made threats to ruin the family via social media.
I have been a qualified driver for many years. I drive with due care and attention and with regard to pedestrians and family pets that are expected at the side of residential roads.
Evan Smith has presented as ignorant and careless in all of the news articles. His wife nasty and vindictive. But above all they are liars and as the lawyer plainly states – the truth is everything.
Evan Smith was speeding through a residential area. He ignored the pet dog and ran over and killed the pet dog. He then tried to drive on regardless and ignored the owners pleas for him to wait. He then further argued, told lies and his aggressive and threatening wife got involved.
So what if he got a cuff in the lip. He deserved a whole lot more. Anyone who did all that would deserve to be held accountable.
The poor family have witnessed their beloved family dog needlessly run over and killed by a speeding, ignorant, stubborn motorist. And they have been threatened by his wife who has been seen to carry out the threats.
Justice please – a cuff in the lip was not enough.
If he was so aggressive how possible someone reached into his car and take his dont add up
Your comments don’t add up because you are illiterate just like Evan Smith.
He took the keys be cause Smith wasn’t expecting it – just like Smith wasn’t expecting to be caught speeding over dogs!!
This is nonsense. Mr. Gill claims that there is ABSOLUTELY no truth that Mr. Kavanaugh’s family beat anyone. So how did the man get the injuries that was clearly visible on his face during the news interview? Did the injuries fall from the sky and land on his face? How did he receive a medical form confirming said injuries? Did it fly in too with same wind that delivered the injuries?
Let’s be real here Mr. Gill. Even if the children were not involved, it is clear that Mr. Smith was physically and emotionally wounded by whatever transpired.
Thre were no visable injuries. He has a covid19 mask loose around his neck, that’s all.
Arley Gill is an unfair human being
He killed my brother in a motor vehicle accident last year and is yet to take responsibility
Evette Willis can you please give me some more info. I knew he was crooked but not so bad. Lawyers are exactly what their titles imply. Liers….
So you people start a hate campaign on everyone that disagrees eith you, do you?
Well it will all get ventilated in Court! The Kavanaghs were certainly not.charged for racist slurs nor for prejudice in any form, but rather for assault. Neither were their children charged. Most importantly, the victim has a medical report that confirms that he received blows to his body. That’s the issue at hand!
While I was not at the protest, nor was I an eyewitness to the event, I have no doubt that racial slurs may have been hurled during the protest. The whole conversation about race may well have been triggered against the backdrop of racial tensions in the USA that have in recent times been publicized through various media. What it speaks to is how easily tempers can flare and persons influenced by happenings outside of their country.
Notwithstanding, it is my view that the suggestion by the attorney for the accused is an attempt to deflect from the issue at hand, which is the physical abuse of Mr. Smith by one, or even possibly, both of his clients. That’s the matter that the Court will adjudicate on!!!
He had just cause. He was defending his family, home and his pets from a lunatic.
Why don’t dogs have any rights or regard in court. Where us the poor, innocent dogs lawyer?
Come on Grenada – take your dark glasses off and see the light!! Everyone matters, especially this poor family, far from home and going through this absolute nightmare of lies.
#a cuff in the lip was not enough!!