Dundon has €1m contract on his life

A LIMERICK man arrested at Cork Airport as he tried to board a flight to Amsterdam with a false passport, has a €1 million contract on his head and has used a bulletproof BMW car for protection.

Gerard Dundon, aged 21, of Hyde Road, Ballinacurra West, pleaded guilty to 34 motoring offences.

Jailing him for 10 months Judge Tom O’Donnell said Dundon had an appalling disregard for the road traffic laws and had shown breath-taking arrogance driving around when disqualified numerous times.

He also banned him from driving for 15 years. Dundon pleaded guilty to all the charges at Limerick District Court.

There was huge security for yesterday’s hearing with armed detectives inside and outside the court.

Prison officers who escorted Dundon in court wore bulletproof vests.

Dundon’s 48 previous convictions include many road traffic offences. He was also previously jailed for having €30,000 worth of drugs for sale or supply.

In one incident, which led to yesterday’s court appearance, he sped off when gardaí approached his car in Limerick. As he was being pursued, Dundon’s car mounted a footpath where people were walking.

Defence solicitor John Devane said his client lives in constant fear of being murdered. “There is a €1 million contract on his head because of who he is and who his family are. He cannot walk the streets of Limerick city or any city or any place in this country. Accordingly he was given motor vehicles by family members for his own protection. One vehicle is a bulletproof BMW and it is bulletproof for the reason family members live in daily fear of their lives. This would be very much in line with the ongoing problems in Limerick city.”

Mr Devane said Dundon had driven when banned as he did not want to endanger others by taking lifts from them, explaining if he is in a car with others, the occupants are at serious risk. Mr Devane said when Dundon had accepted lifts in the past, insurance companies had cancelled policies held by his drivers, having been told by the authorities that Dundon was in a car they insured.

“Nobody drives him around. The only people who drive him are in Garda cars or the prison authorities escorts who are armed to the teeth and need to be in the present circumstances.”

Judge O’Donnell imposed nine concurrent six-month sentences and two consecutive four-month sentences for 11 offences which included dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while banned and driving without a licence. He marked the remainder of the charges proved. He also banned him from driving for 15 years.

After the hearing, Dundon was driven in an armed Garda convoy back to Cork Prison.

When arrested last Friday at Cork Airport, Dundon insisted he was Terence Ruth from Dublin, which was the name on a passport with Dundon’s photograph. He also carried €5,850 in cash and had no luggage.

It was only after he was brought to Togher Garda station that he gave his correct name.

He is due again at Cork District Court tomorrow on a charge of having a false passport.