Limerick accused a 'serious threat', court hears

A 24-year-old Limerick man charged in connection with a shooting outside a house where a christening party was taking place, has been described in court as an "evil, violent criminal" whom gardaí regard as a "serious threat".

Damien Quinn, Ballygrennan Close, Moyross, Limerick was convicted by a jury at Limerick Circuit Court last month, of having a shotgun in his possession with intent to endanger life at Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross on May 1, 2005.

The 24-year-old was also found guilty of two further charges of having the weapon in suspicious circumstances and to assaulting 35-year-old Thomas Leamy, causing him harm on the same date.

During the trial, the court heard that Mr Leamy was shot twice outside a house where his baby niece's christening party was taking place.

The 35-year-old who was shot in the back is still undergoing treatment for his injuries, the court heard.

A brother of the accused, Matthew Quinn (aged 23), also with an address at Ballygrennan Close, Moyross, Limerick, pleaded guilty before the trial, to two separate charges arising from the same incident.

Matthew Quinn pleaded guilty to having a shotgun in his possession with intent to endanger life, and also to having two machetes in his possession with intent to cause injury on May 1, 2005.

At the sentencing hearing today, Counsel for the State John O'Sullivan said that it was the "essence" of the prosecution's case that Damien Quinn had encouraged his younger brother Matthew to shoot Thomas Leamy.

When called to give evidence Detective Garda David Bolger conceded that Matthew Quinn was armed but added that he was "acting under direction of his older brother".

"I believe that Damien Quinn is a violent and evil criminal in Limerick city and gardaí regard him as a serious threat," said the garda witness.

Counsel for Damien Quinn, John Whelan (SC) told the court that his client, who was sentenced to six years in prison for an armed robbery when he was just 17 years old, had a very "difficult upbringing".

Mr Whelan said the young father had had fallen under the influence of a "hardened Limerick criminal" when he carried out the armed robbery.

The court heard that Mr Quinn was the victim of a recent stabbing attack which could have paralysed him for life, however no complaint was lodged with the gardai in relation to this incident.

Judge Carroll Moran described the case as "very serious" and adjourned sentencing in the case of both brothers until Friday.