Brothers who fired on Traveller family 'intended to kill'

Brothers who allegedly fired a sawn off shot gun at a family of Travellers at St Dominic’s Park on January 1, 2005 intended to kill them a jury at the Central Criminal Court heard this morning.

Patrick McDonagh (aged 31) and Martin McDonagh (aged 42), of Dunsink Lane, Finglas Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of John Gavin, Robert Gavin and Patrick Paul Gavin at St Dominic’s Park, Belcamp Lane, Coolock on January 1, 2005.

Opening the case to the jury of nine men and three women, prosecuting council Mr Niall Durnan SC said there was a history of differences between the Gavin and McDonagh families, which culminated on the day.

Martin McDonagh represented by Mr Martin Giblin SC and Patrick McDonagh represented by Mr Paul Burns SC have also pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Robert Gavin and possession of a double barrel shot gun.

Mr Durnan SC told the court about 11am Patrick McDonagh had driven to the Belcamp Lane area and had a conversation with the Gavins, "generally in terms of making the peace", Mr Durnan SC said.

He left but about three quarters of an hour later the silver car he had been in returned the prosecution alleging both Martin and Patrick McDonagh were inside.

"A comment to the fact are you well lads was passed," Mr Durnan SC said.

"They (the Gavins) were looking towards the passenger side and they saw what appeared to be a gun protruding out the passenger side.

"The gun was fired into the group of Gavins, Robert Gavin struck in the face while other members of the Gavin family also received injuries.

"A gun fired at such a range at such a group of people was capable of causing lethal and fatal damage," Mr Durnan SC said.

"There can be no other intent on the behalf of that person than to kill the people he took aim and fired at."

Mr Durnan SC said the prosecution would call medical evidence to prove serious harm was caused.

The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney is expected to go into next week.