Two men refused bail in Limerick

Two men, who were refused bail on firearms charges, are both involved in an ongoing Limerick feud, a special court sitting heard.

Gary Kirby (23), of 89 Hyde Road, Limerick, and Christopher McCarthy (20), with an address at 154 Delmege Park, Moyross, were charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause injury at Lenihan Avenue, Limerick on January 8 last.

Objecting to bail at a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday, gardaí said it would be alleged that several shots were discharged at three houses on Lenihan Avenue.

A nine-year-old child, who was in a room of one of the houses struck by gunfire, had to dive to the ground for cover after a shot hit the window, the court heard.

When he was charged, Christopher McCarthy replied: "Nothing got to do with me," Detective Garda Derek Clancy told the court.

By his own admission, the accused was involved in the ongoing Limerick feud involving the McCarthy/Dundon faction and the Keane faction, the court heard.

"I believe if bail is granted he will continue to engage in this feud," said Detective Garda Clancy.

The court also heard that Christopher McCarthy feared for his safety and had been wearing a bullet proof vest 24 hours a day - even in bed - since a gun attack on his his mother's house.

In evidence, Mr McCarthy claimed he was an unwitting participant in the alleged feud.

"I was dragged into the feud after the other family called me names. I wears a bullet proof vest since my mother's house was shot in three years ago," he said.

It was also alleged that the accused had been advised by a senior Limerick garda to stay away from Limerick and to go to England for his own safety.

Objecting to bail for Gary Kirby, Detective Garda David Burke told the court that the accused man was currently before the courts on High Court bail in a murder charge.

It was alleged that Mr Kirby had not obeyed the conditions of that bail.

The accused had aligned himself to the McCarthy/Dundon faction in the ongoing Limerick feud and he also had a personal dispute with the Mulqueen family in the Weston area in recent years, the court heard.

An injured party, who is also a witness to the alleged shooting, had made a statement identifying Gary Kirby at the scene, the court heard.

It was also alleged that Mr Kirby had made a number of admissions while he was being interviewed in garda custody.

"Gary Kirby has aligned himself to one faction in a feud in Limerick and he has made admissions that he has access to a large number of firearms including an AK-47," said Detective Garda Burke.

Judge Tom O'Donnell refused bail and remanded both men in custody to appear again before Limerick District Court on Thursday next January 15th.