Youths remanded over firebomb attack

MORE than 100 statements have been taken by gardaí during the investigation into the firebomb attack that left Limerick siblings Millie and Gavin Murray with horrific injuries, a court heard yesterday.

Limerick State Solicitor, Michael Murray sought a further remand at the city district court of three teenage youths charged in connection with the attack, to allow the State complete the book of evidence.

Two of the youths, aged 16 and 17, are out on bail while a third, also aged 17, remains in custody since his arrest.

All three, from Moyross, have been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing serious harm to Millie, aged six, and four-year-old Gavin at Pineview Gardens, Moyross on September 10 last.

Mr Murray told the court that the preparation of the books of evidence had been prioritised and they involved three heavy volumes, containing in excess of 100 statements.

He had returned early from holidays to work on the books of evidence, but two people had been out sick.

While there was “pressure on the system”, he said it was coping reasonably well.

Solicitor John Devane, said one of the accused youths had been in custody since September 14 and had not applied for bail.

He said the system did not run well when it failed even a single person.

It was, he said, important to send out a message to the DPP and the local prosecutor that the case should receive the priority it deserves.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor, for one of the accused, said the case had now been four months before the court.

Judge Tom O’Donnell remanded all three to January 30, two on bail and one in custody.

He fixed the serving of books of evidence, peremptorily for that date, in relation to two of the accused.