Man who was shot at had home searched for arms

A Jordanian man who claims an Irishman attempted to murder him by firing shots at him in the Leisureplex in Dublin’s Blanchardstown has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that gardaí once searched his house for firearms.

He said he was “amazed” by this and this could have been a few weeks or months after the murder of a man called Paschal Boland.

Akef Alquasar was giving evidence in the trial of Darren Larkin (aged 23), of no fixed address, who denies attempting to murder the Jordanian in the early hours of February 20th 2006.

Under cross examination from Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, Mr Alquasar said the search of his home by gardaí had taken place eight or nine years ago. Asked why gardaí carried out the search he said: “I didn’t understand. I was amazed.”

He said he told gardaí he thought someone might be setting him up: “I think someone rang because I was selling drink. I was amazed because I had nothing to do with anything like this.”

He said he told gardaí they were more than welcome to search his house. “They were very polite about it and they left.”

He said they had not given him any more information as to why the search was taking place.

Asked by Ms Ring if he had had a conversation on April 12 this year with Detective Inspector Bernard Sherry from Blanchardstown garda station, the witness replied: “I did yes.” He said the conversation was about his statement and that the Detective Inspector had wished him luck in court.

Asked if he had spoken about the search of his home and a man called Paschal Boland he said he probably had. He remembered something happening in the area and agreed Mr Boland had been murdered.

Asked if this was around the time gardaí had called to his house to look for a firearm he said: “I don’t recall, could be a few weeks after or a few months.”

He agreed he owned a Russian single barrel shotgun which was licensed and said he had never touched a handgun in Ireland.

He said he used his weapon to go hunting in fields around Baldoyle and the Blessington lakes. His usual prey was ducks in September and wild pigeons and rabbits in July or August.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Eamon de Valera and the jury.