Man (20) is one of the leading instigators in violent Limerick feud, court hears
A man charged in connection with a drive-by shooting in Limerick, is one of the leading instigators of an ongoing feud in the city, gardaí alleged in court on Tuesday.
Shane Blackhall, (20), Mungret Court, Watergate, Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court in respect of a gun attack at Hyde Avenue, January 6th last.
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Gardaí alleged during Tuesday's bail hearing that Mr Blackhall was 'actively involved' in an ongoing violent feud and they were fearful someone would be killed or seriously injured if he was granted bail.
Detective Garda Seamus Murphy told the court he charged Mr Blackhall on Monday with one count of possessing a firearm in suspicious circumstances on January 6th.
Det Gda Murphy said he also charged Mr Blackhall with one count of unlawfully taking a blue Volkswagen car, which Gardaí allege was used in the January 6th drive-by shooting.
Mr Blackhall was also charged with possessing €26,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, which Garda Murphy said was found in Mr Blackhall's home when Gardaí searched it on July 10th last, as part of investigations into the January 6th shooting.
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Garda Murphy told the court that at 6:34pm on January 6th last, gardaí responded to reports of a shooting at Hyde Avenue, Limerick, and discovered a stolen Volkswagen car abandoned and extensively damaged after it had crashed into a lamppost near the scene.
Gardaí found two 9mm bullet casings inside the car as well as a further five 9mm bullet casings at various points along Hyde Avenue.
Forensic analysis of the bullet casings found inside the car and along Hyde Avenue showed they were '9mm Luger' ammunition, and that 'all fired from the same weapon'.
Garda Murphy said investigating gardaí believe that a 'Glock, semi-automatic' firearm was used in the gun attack.
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Garda Murphy said gardaí had harvested CCTV footage showing the stolen VW car moving along Hyde Avenue and 'slowing' as it comes to houses, and a 'number of shots are discharged' from the car.
Garda Murphy said the footage shows the car 'travel at speed' away onto Lenihan Avenue, Byrne Avenue, and onto Rosbrien Road, passing an ESB premises.
The CCTV footage also shows the car crashed at Ashbourne Avenue and two individuals fleeing the vehicle, said Garda Murphy.
The Garda witness alleged that a subsequent forensic examination of the VW car had resulted in the discovery of human DNA on the car's driver-side airbag, which he alleged was a match for Mr Blackhall's DNA.
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Garda Murphy told the court that more serious charges were anticipated against Mr Blackhall in respect of the shooting investigation.
Mr Blackhall was objecting to bail due to the 'seriousness of the charges, and the strength and nature of the evidence'.
Garda Murphy alleged in court: 'The accused was actively involved in an ongoing feud on the south side of Limerick City at the time of his arrest and the commission of the offences for which he is currently charged with.'
'Gardaí believe these offences were committed as part of this feud and the accused was one of the main instigators of same.'
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'I believe that if he (Mr Blackhall) is granted bail, the accused will again become involved in this feud and will pose a serious and active threat to homeowners and members of the public.'
Garda Murphy said serious weaponry had been used in the feud and that gardaí were concerned about a safety risk to the general public.
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Answering Mr Blackhall's solicitor, Sarah Ryan, who stated the accused would abide by whatever bail conditions the court decided, Garda Murphy stated: 'I do not believe that there are any bail conditions which would be applied that could prevent further similar crimes by the accused.'
'It is my belief that, if granted bail, there will be further serious offences committed by the accused, up to the risk of further property been damaged, including loss of (life) and serious injury.'
Judge Patricia Harney said she believed Det Gda Murphy's evidence was 'well-founded' and 'should be accepted', and she refused bail.
The judge remanded Mr Blackhall in custody to appear before Limerick District Court again on June 24th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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