Limerick man denies shooting pregnant woman

A man has denied shooting a pregnant woman and a man in front of two children in a violent family feud.

Thomas McCarthy, originally from Castleview Estate, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, and with addresses in England, appeared before Kilmallock District Court yesterday, charged with possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

Mr McCarthy, aged 32, who the court heard was unemployed, was also charged with two counts of assault causing harm to both victims. The court ordered their identities not be published.

Detective Garda Jason Mitchell, Newcastle West Garda Station, said that he arrested Mr McCarthy at 11:55am yesterday, and the accused replied “all right” to the charges.

Det Garda Mitchell said a gunman fired two shots at the victims and escaped in a silver Saab at approximately 3.30pm on Wednesday, August 13.

The shooting happened outside the victim’s family home in Newcastle West.

Det Garda Mitchell said two children, aged 5 and 7, were standing beside both victims when they were shot.

“[The man] was treated at the scene by ambulance and airlifted to Cork University Hospital. He suffered a collapsed lung and had (gun) pellets removed from his liver,” said Det Garda Mitchell.

“[The woman] was shot in the torso and sustained a broken finger. She was seven weeks pregnant at the time.”

The garda said both victims had since been discharged from hospital, but had “not fully recovered”.

“Two to three weeks ago they still had pellets coming out of their bodies,” said Det Garda Mitchell.

During a bail application, Mr McCarthy denied Garda claims that he was involved in a long-running feud with the man who was shot.

He accused gardaí of being “corrupt” and “telling lies”.

“There’s no feud. [Gardaí] are setting me up. I didn’t commit the crime. [Gardaí] are stitching me up. I didn’t shoot him,” said Mr McCarthy.

“I’m involved in no feuds. There is no feud.”

Opposing bail, Det Garda Mitchell said: “Tom McCarthy is a main protagonist in a feud between the [victim’s family] and the McCarthys, for the past 10 years.”

He said he believed that, if granted bail, Mr McCarthy would interfere with witnesses; commit further crime; and fail to appear in court to face the charges.

Judge Alan Mitchell, having considered all of the evidence, refused bail to the accused.

He remanded Mr McCarthy in custody to appear in court again next week.