Jeweller wthdraws gun pendant window display

A LIMERICK jeweller at the centre of a controversy for displaying gold medallions of replica guns, including a 9 carat gold Kalashnikov rifle, yesterday withdrew all the items from the shop window.

The jewellery caused concern among business interests because of the negative publicity in the city surrounding the on-going feud between rival gangs and a number of high profile court cases.

Eleanor O’Brien, the manager of John H.Irwin, jewellers, at Williamscourt Mall in William Street, yesterday said she was unaware that the item causing the biggest stir, the gold Kalashnikov rifle medallion, studded with semi-precious CZ stones and retailing at 460, had any special local significance in the city. “This piece of jewellery was just another type of gun and we purchased the items from our British-based suppliers. We had no idea they looked like an AK47 rifle. It is not called that and I didn’t even know what one looked like. If this particular item has offended people, I cannot understand why nobody came into the shop to complain about it.”

The unusual jewellery range included gold chains carrying shotgun and handgun pendants.

Ms O’Brien said these items are on sale in jewellery shops all over Ireland.

She rejected any suggestion the gold medallions depicting replica guns were being sold because there was so much publicity about the feud in the city.

“These items have been on sale long before this feud came to light. I consider Limerick people to be very law abiding and it is just a handful of people who are doing the image of Limerick great harm. I abhor violence, I have been a victim of violence and had my store robbed on more than one occasion.

“It is a pity that Limerick is being singled out by some sections of the media because there are other serious incidents and killings in Dublin and other parts of the country,” said Ms O’Brien.

Andrew McWhinney, Limerick City Centre Co-Ordination Office, described the display of the jewellery items as “unsavoury and in bad taste”.

Tom McInerney, a former president of Limerick Chamber of Commerce, said that while the issue of replica guns would be sensitive in the city at this particular time, it must be borne in mind that this type of jewellery is available throughout the country.

“It is inappropriate, unfair and sensationalism the way this story has been taken out of context in the media.”

A spokesman for Shannon Development said the publicity was “unhelpful” at a time when every effort was being to promote a positive image of Limerick City.