A GUNMAN who shot a Garda sergeant with a shotgun arising from a feud between members of two west Dublin families has been given a 12-year sentence.
Sgt Mark Clarke thought he was going to die when hit in the chest and arm after a sawn-off shotgun was discharged from a stolen car.Lead pellets may remain in his body for the rest of his life.
Gardaí Jacinta Gordon, John Dunne and Leanna Cruise, and a civilian, Arunas Rimeika, also feared for their lives when the same man pointed the shotgun at them afterwards as he tried to highjack Mr Rimeika's van to escape in the Crumlin area on September 27th, 2006.
The gunman, Jonathan Radford (22), of Rutland Grove, Crumlin, Dublin, and a then 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last November to 13 charges arising out of the incident.
Radford pleaded guilty to seven counts of having the shotgun and cartridges with intent to endanger life, and having them with intent to endanger the lives of Garda Gordon and Mr Rimeika, and to threatening Mr Rimeika with a loaded shotgun.
The now 17-year-old pleaded guilty to six charges of having a gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, unauthorised taking of a Mitsubishi Lancer car, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance on the same occasion.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said the case demonstrated the dangers gardaí faced when they are called to serious incidents.
He imposed a 12-year sentence on Radford, with the final two years suspended on conditions, and seven years on the teenager, with the final three suspended.
Det Insp Brian Sutton told prosecuting counsel Paul Carroll that the incidents happened after gardaí were called to investigate a shot fired at the home of the Kenny family on Monasterboice Drive in the early hours.
Sgt Clarke and Garda Maria Feen took up duty at about 6am to preserve the scene. They noticed a wine Mitsubishi Lancer car approach the house at around 7am, but it reversed and did "a wheel spin" before taking off at speed.
Sgt Clarke believed from what he had been told earlier by Ian Kenny that the car was involved in the shooting, and when he saw it return from the opposite end he decided to approach the vehicle which was been driven by a young person.
Det Insp Sutton said as Sgt Clarke reached for his baton, he saw Mr Kenny approach the car and throw a beer bottle through a window into it. He then saw a shotgun pointing out the window and was in fear of his life.
He turned to his left and felt a stinging in his chest. He realised he had been shot. Sgt Clarke then heard people screaming and saw blood streaming down his arm.
Det Insp Sutton told Mr Carroll that part of Sgt Clarke's uniform had been blown away where he was shot. He was taken to hospital.
People who had tried to get Mr Kenny away from the scene also saw the shotgun being fired and Sgt Clarke falling to his knees as the Lancer sped away. It had been reported stolen by its owner some hours earlier.
At about 7.30am, other gardaí spotted the car and they pursued it at speed in the Crumlin and Drimnagh areas.
Det Insp Sutton said a Fiesta coming on to a mini-roundabout at the junction of Moran Road and Benbulbin Road was struck and knocked over by the stolen car, which came to a stop as a result of the collision.
Gardaí and civilians went to the assistance of the Fiesta's driver, and Garda John Dunne tried to pull the teenage driver out through the window of the Lancer because the door would not open.
Garda Dunne struggled with the teenage driver, who bit him and ran off towards Mourne Road church. Radford got out through the passenger door and ran towards a van at a yield sign.
Det Insp Sutton said Radford then pointed the shotgun at the van driver, Mr Rimeika. When gardaí Gordon and Cruise approached Mr Rimeika's van, Radford pointed the shotgun at Garda Gordon's chest and she backed off with her hands up.
Radford then held the shotgun to Mr Rimeika's head while Garda Dunne went back to patrol car to call for armed back-up. They heard another shot being discharged.
Mr Rimeika told gardaí that Radford was roaring "move, move" at him, and when he saw he was about to discharge the gun again he hit Radford's arm to put his aim off. He then pushed Radford against the car door and helped Garda Dunne restrain and arrest him.
Radford told gardaí he was surprised the shotgun went off and hit Sgt Clarke. There was no intention of shooting him and the gun was pointed at him to get him away from the Lancer. Shooting him was an accident and he regretted it.
The teenager was arrested in the Cork Street area some hours later. Det Insp Sutton said the teenager had previous convictions for dangerous driving, driving without insurance, unauthorised taking of vehicles and other offences. He left school at an early age, and was "out of control" as far as gardaí were concerned.