Two cousins who pleaded guilty to possession of a Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle had been victims of a number of shooting and stabbing incidents as part of a vicious feud.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that both defendants had also suffered considerable psychological damage as a result of the well- publicised ongoing family feud.
Last February, Ross Cantillon (20), St Mary's Park and Roy Woodland (20), Canon Breen Park, Limerick, also pleaded guilty to possession of 22 rounds of ammunition at Cliona Park, Moyross, on August 23rd, 2002 and to stealing a car on the same date.
At yesterday's sentencing hearing, Judge Carroll Moran heard that both men had been hospitalised on several occasions following feud-related attacks.
The court was told that Woodland had his right leg amputated after he was shot by opposing factions and on another occasion he nearly lost his life when he was stabbed in the head. His cousin - Ross Cantillon - has also been the victim of vicious stabbing incidents and on one occasion both his lungs were perforated.
Det Sgt Jim Ryan told the court he believed the defendants were "acting under the influence of more sinister elements of the family feud" and that they were not "at the top of the tree in relation to the ongoing dispute".
Sentencing was adjourned to Thursday's sitting of Limerick Circuit Court.