Car bomb man was 'involved in Limerick feud'

A man who pleaded guilty to having a car bomb is involved in an ongoing Limerick feud which has already claimed six lives, a court has heard.

Michael Scanlon (aged 31), St Mary’s Terrace, Askeaton, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty to possession of an explosive device, possession of detonating chord, possession of a Sterling submachine gun and possession of 294 rounds of ammunition, at Loughmore Mungret on June 3 2003.

Today, Limerick Circuit Court heard that the under-car booby trap bomb explosives, and the firearm were seized by gardaí during a raid at a bungalow in Mungret on June 3 last.

Det Sergeant Tom O’Connor said that gardaí received confidential information on June 2, 2003 that a bomb – which was due to be used in a bloody feud - could be found at a house in Mungret.

Det Sgt O’Connor told the court that this feud has already resulted in the loss of six lives and that in excess of 150 violent incidents were being investigated by gardaí including the discharging of firearms in public places and into private houses.

The court heard that Mr Scanlon – who has 13 previous convictions - was a “willing participant” involved in the activities of this feud, albeit he was a “late entrant”.

Defence Counsel Brian McInerney (BL) said his client had been “sucked into the feud late in the day" and that he feared retribution by the “high ranking figures” involved in the feud.

Mr McInerney said people at the top of the pyramid in this feud were “quite capable of going to any lengths to further their own purposes”.

Judge Carroll Moran said the offence was “as serious as one can encounter” and that it involved an anti-personnel bomb, which could have killed a number of people.

Judge Moran said he had to take into account the gravity of the charge before passing sentence.

He adjourned sentencing to Monday February 2 next at Limerick Circuit Court.