Barman not bullied into leaving after being shot

A YOUNG Limerick barman who was shot twice after he refused to serve the underage sister of a local thug, says he will not be further intimidated by criminals.

Ryan Lee is lucky to be alive after being shot twice by a man who is considered to be one of the most violent criminals in the Limerick region.

Wayne Dundon, aged 27, from Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, was recently jailed for 10 years for threatening to kill the barman after he refused to serve the criminal’s underage sister.

Lee was shot with a high-powered handgun as he worked behind the counter at Brannigan’s Bar, Mulgrave Street on December 19 last.

According to his uncle Steve Collins, who owns the premises, the 19-year-old barman is determined to get on with his life.

Mr Lee, who moved to Limerick with his uncle following the death of both his parents from illness in the 1990s, is recovering well after the shooting.

Two armed gardaí have been posted to the bar, providing the family with round-the-clock protection.

But both Mr Collins and his nephew said they will not be bullied into leaving Limerick.

“It never entered my head to leave. When he did that to Ryan I had no doubt in my mind what I wanted to do and that was to go the whole way with court action,” Mr Collins said.

“Of course you are frightened. You have to weigh it up when something like this happens, but we cannot let thugs dictate our lives.

“We have a good business and there is no way we can have that ruined by the actions of a bunch of criminals. We have put too much work into it and all we want now is to get back to normal and continue making this place a success.”

He said the injured teenager is getting there, slowly but surely.

“Physically he is going to be fine but psychologically it is still going to take a while. We thought initially that it would be best for him to leave but he wanted to stay here.

“He is still very nervous and a bit raw. He won’t stay in the pub on his own, wouldn’t do a shift on his own, but he is getting there. Like the rest of us, though, he just wants to move on with his life,” said his uncle.

Stephen Collins, owner of Brannigan’s Pub and uncle of Ryan Lee, said Ryan’s girlfriend received a letter through the door, saying: “Bring this down to Steve Collins.” The letter read: “Steve, if you think it’s over then think again, look at the people that’s dead, look if you want to call it quits you know what to do, if not we will attack you, your staff and your businesses, it’s up to you.”

Last night Prime Time on RTÉ 1 also interviewed Liam Kelly, of Colbert Ave, Limerick, who had a grenade like device thrown through his front window.

“We show the extensive damage to the walls, window and floor...

“I mean this is not Beirut we’re living in, this is Janesboro... We’re living in a residential area and, I mean, this can’t go on,” he said.