Limerick man jailed for murder

A 24-year-old Limerick man is today beginning a life sentence in prison after he was found guilty of the murder of father-of-three Gareth Brosnan-Grant.

Greg Crawford, of St Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park in Limerick had denied murdering Gareth Brosnan-Grant outside the victim’s home at St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park in Limerick on October 8, 2007.

Today a jury of six men and six women took just one hour and 50 minutes to reach a unanimous guilty verdict following a six-day trial at the Central Criminal Court.

The jury members were then excused from further service for life.

Crawford showed no reaction as the verdict was read out and he was then handed a mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney.

Sergeant Gerry Cleary told the court that Crawford has a number of previous convictions for possession of firearms offences and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in a public place.

In January 2009, he was convicted at Limerick city Circuit Court of possession of firearms in suspicious circumstances and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Following the verdict, Gareth Grant’s sister Melissa delivered an emotional Victim Impact Statement.

The victim’s partner Claire Ronan and parents Gabrielle and Benny wept openly as Melissa Grant told the court: “Gareth was a much cherished son, brother, partner and a father of three beautiful children who did not deserve this.

“There will always be a void in our lives that nothing will ever fill”.

She added: “We were robbed of so much when we lost him. Our lives have changed in so many ways. We will never ever forget him, and this is your day Gareth”.

On behalf of the family, Ms Grant also thanked “the justice system and the gardaí for their hard work, effort and understanding”, and expressed their gratitude for “the expertise of science and DNA, without which we would not have this verdict”.

The trial had heard that Crawford's DNA matched the DNA found on gloves which were discovered wrapped around an Ithaca handgun in the rear of his grandparents’ house.

Evidence from ballistics experts also showed that the bullet recovered from Gareth Grant’s body had been fired from the Ithaca gun.

Mr Grant was pronounced dead at the Mid West Regional Hospital in Limerick on the night of October 8, 2007. A post-mortem showed he suffered a gunshot wound which went through his left arm and entered his chest, injuring his lungs and aorta.

His partner Claire Ronan had told the court that she ran onto the street after hearing a gun shot, and saw a man she recognised as Greg “Squid” Crawford standing over Gareth’s body.

Gareth’s brother David also gave evidence of having recognised Crawford standing at the corner of St Ita’s Street several minutes before the shooting.

Following a conversation with Claire Ronan at the scene, gardaí went immediately to the home of Greg Crawford’s parents at St Munchin’s Street.

Sergeant Gerry Cleary told the court he had noted Crawford’s hair was wet, he appeared to have just showered and was wearing fresh clothes.

Forensic scientist Mr Liam Fleury later gave evidence that any gunshot residue present on a person who had discharged a firearm would have been removed by showering.