I fear for people of Limerick, says garda

A GARDA told a court yesterday how he feared for the safety of the people of Limerick as two men were charged with possessing a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Detective Inspector Jim Browne of Henry Street Garda Station was opposing bail in a case at Limerick District Court in which two 19-year-old men appeared on a firearms charge.

He told Judge Timothy Lucey he was opposed to bail because he feared for the people of Limerick and for the two men in court, Roy Woodland and Ross Cantillon.

Mr Woodland, of 56 Canon Breen Park, Thomondgate, Limerick, and his cousin Mr Cantillon, of 34 St Ita’s Park, St Mary’s Park, were charged with being in possession of an AK sub-machine gun at Cliona Park, Moyross, on August 23.

Garda Darragh O’Sullivan of Mayorstone Garda Station told the court he formally arrested Roy Woodland at 12.05am at Henry Street Station and charged him. The accused had nothing to say in reply to the charge.

Garda Gerry Healy, also of Mayorstone Garda Station, told the court he arrested and charged Ross Cantillon, who also made no reply to the charge.

John Devane, solicitor for both accused, applied for bail. Mr Devane said that Woodland was unemployed at the moment.

Judge Timothy Lucey said the alleged offence was serious and the circumstances surrounding it were more serious. He had to take into consideration the possibility of serious crimes being committed by the accused or by other parties.

He remanded both accused in custody to the court sitting tomorrow, when the bail application will be decided fully.