A SENIOR Garda witness has told a murder trial that he suspected a Limerick man shot a carpenter dead in retaliation for an arson attack on his mother’s van.
Det Garda David Nolan told the Central Criminal Court he arrested Kenneth Collopy (20) at his family home at Ballysimon, Limerick, on the night Daniel Fitzgerald (25) was killed. Det Garda Nolan said he believed a retaliatory attack was likely after the van was burned out outside the Collopy home on December 8th, 2009.
Mr Fitzgerald was shot as he left his uncle’s home at Ballysimon at about 9.30pm that night. He was pronounced dead at 10.05pm.
Det Garda Nolan arrested Collopy at his home at 10.50pm. He told the jury he believed the arson attack may have been a motive. He said he now knew there was no evidence linking either Mr Fitzgerald or his family to the incident.
Collopy, Kilonan, Ballysimon, has denied murdering Mr Fitzgerald.
His defence team argues he had just intended to shoot at the caravans in which the the Fitzgerald family were staying while their house was being renovated.
Other gardaí gave evidence of finding a Glock handgun during searches near the Collopy home after the shooting.
The remains of burnt clothing were found. The items were displayed for the jury.
A Toyota Corolla and keys were found near the Collopy home. The jury has heard that spent bullet casings were found in it, and has seen CCTV footage tracking its movements on the evening in question.
The car’s owner Jason O’Donoghue has told the court that Collopy asked him for a lift to Ballysimon that evening.
On the way, Mr O’Donoghue said, Collopy took out a Glock handgun and told Mr O’Donoghue to pull into a caravan site. Mr O’Donoghue said he refused as he felt Collopy would shoot him.
He said Collopy threatened to shoot him if he did not.
He jumped from the car and Collopy drove off.
The trial resumes today before the jury.