Man who ‘blasted his own foot’ denied bail

A 31-year-old man, who was believed to have blasted his own leg by accident before allegedly shooting another man in the chest during a botched gun attack in Dublin, has been refused bail.

Thomas Ryan of McKee Park, Cabra, was yesterday charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Wearing a grey tracksuit, the Cabra man appeared in court on crutches.

He had been discovered wounded on Monday morning by gardaí near a location where Charlie O’Neill, aged 51, had been shot while cycling on Glasnevin Avenue.

Ballymun man Mr O’Neill was rushed to the Mater Hospital for treatment following the shooting and remains in an induced coma.

At nearby Hillcrest Park, a second man, Mr Ryan, was found with gunshot injuries to his leg. He was later taken to Beaumont Hospital while a shotgun was located close to the scene.

Mr Ryan was later brought to Ballymun Garda Station, where he was held for questioning until he was charged and brought to appear before Dublin District Court yesterday.

Garda Cathal Connolly told Judge Alan Mitchell that Mr Ryan made no reply when he was charged with the offences. The garda objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence, adding that, at 8.10am on Monday, a man had been cycling on Glasnevin Avenue, when he was allegedly shot by the accused.

The court heard that two shots are alleged to have been fired, but it was claimed the first round was discharged unintentionally and the defendant suffered “an accidental gunshot wound to the leg”.

It was alleged a second shot was fired which hit Mr O’Neill in the abdomen. He is in an induced coma in what was described in court as a “critical but stable” condition.

Gda Connolly also said Mr Ryan fled into a laneway but was found after he collapsed nearby. A sawn-off shotgun was also located and, after being treated at Beaumont hospital, he was arrested and made admissions, the court heard.

The garda said Mr Ryan was a potential flight risk with no ties, and more serious charges could be brought against him. However, his solicitor, Jenny McGeever, said he had three relatives in court, had strong family connections in Dublin and has always lived at his current address.

She asked her client if he understood that the charge was very serious to which he stepped forward and answered “yes”. He then replied “yeah, no problem”, when his lawyer asked him if he would adhere to any bail conditions.

However, Judge Mitchell refused to allow him out on bail and remanded him in custody to appear again on Sept 6.