Dublin man found guilty of attempted murder

A Dublin man has been found guilty of attempting to murder a Jordanian man by shooting him in the head at a Leisureplex in Dublin's Blanchardstown by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.

Darren Larkin (aged 23), of no fixed address, was convicted of attempting to murder Akef Alquasar in the early hours of February 20, 2006.

He was also convicted of two further charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

The jury of six men and six women took just less than two-and-a-half hours to reach a majority 10-2 verdict.

During the trial, the court heard that the victim had lived "round the corner" from Larkin's family in the Sheepmore Estate in Dublin 15 for almost 20 years. Mr Alquasar told the jury that he had known Larkin since he was five or six years old.

He told prosecuting counsel, Mr Shane Murphy SC, that when a man wearing a hat and carrying a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun came into the Leasureplex at 4.40am on February 20, 2006, he immediately recognised him as Larkin.

He told the jury that Larkin "just stood there for three or four seconds and just looked at me. He knew I recognised him".

Mr Alquasar shouted: "Larkin, you b**tard" as Larkin ran at him with the gun aimed at his head.

When he was about 7 or 8 meters away, he fired, hitting him in the side of the head.

Larkin shouted "I've got you, you c**t" as Mr Alquasar dived behind the nearby bowling registration desk and started pelting Larkin with the shoes that were stored behind it.

Larkin had followed him over, training the gun on him as he crouched behind the desk.

Giving evidence, Mr Alquasar told the jury: "I was screaming like mad. I was picking up the shoes, these shoes at the back and throwing them. I was throwing them and I was hitting him in the face and I was screaming."

Larkin stopped to reload and Mr Alquasar kept throwing bowling shoes. A further shot missed its target then Larkin ran for the exit.

Mr Alquasar ran after him, shouting "Larkin, you f**king b**tard, I'm gonna get you" as Larkin got into a small red car parked in the disabled spaces just outside the entrance and made his escape.

Mr Alquasar told Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, defending, that he was well known in his local area for his strong anti-drugs and anti-joyriding stance.

He admitted firing a legally-held shotgun at a 'joyrider' after his wife had difficulty getting to hospital to give birth because of all the burnt out cars in the area. This incident took place around seven years ago.

Mr Justice Éamon de Valera thanked the jury for their time and careful attention and remanded Larkin for sentencing on May 4.