A DUBLIN man who was the getaway driver for a gunman in a fatal shooting at a bookmakers over a year ago has been jailed for life at the Central Criminal Court.
There were emotional scenes in the court as Liam Bolger (23), Homelawn Gardens, Tallaght, was found guilty of the murder of Christopher Barry (25) on September 13th, 2008.
Bolger's mother and family members broke down as the majority 10-2 verdict was read out, following almost seven hours of deliberations over two days, by the jury of six men and six women.
A father of one and a plasterer by trade, Bolger had denied the murder at Byrne's bookmakers, Killester Avenue in Donnycarney.
In her victim impact statement, Mr Barry's mother Ann said: "September 13th was the worst day of our lives. Christy left the house laughing and joking like he always was . . . there are no words to describe the pain and hardship."
Mr Barry's relatives wept as she told the court she had suffered a massive heart attack when she heard that her son had been shot dead. "He was a beautiful young man who brought laughter and joy . . . I was so proud to have him for a son. He still lives on in our hearts."
The family reacted angrily and whispered "lies" as the court was told that Mr Barry had a conviction for a drugs offence and had been associated with the feud between the Crumlin and Drimnagh criminal gangs.
Mr Barry's murder was described in court as a chillingly efficient assassination. Paddy McCarthy SC, prosecuting, said that while Bolger was not the actual assassin, he shared equal responsibility for it and the case was one of joint enterprise.
During the eight-day trial, the jury was also shown CCTV footage of the gunman shooting Mr Barry inside the bookmakers. Customers fled the shop as the man, wearing a motorcycle helmet, entered the bookies with a gun pointed at Mr Barry, who was seated in the corner. The gunman left the bookies on a motorbike, which he then set fire to on La Vista Avenue around the corner.
He was seen by a witness sprinting down the road and jumping into a waiting white Renault van, driven by Bolger.
The witness contacted gardaí with the van's registration and they traced it to Bolger's address. They observed Bolger parking the van outside his house before a second man got out and wiped the passenger door and window.
A few hours later Bolger was arrested and brought to Raheny Garda station for questioning. The court heard he repeatedly replied "no comment" when asked to account for his movements.
Mr Justice Paul Carney handed down the mandatory life sentence and exempted the jurors from jury service for the rest of their lives. He refused leave to appeal.
The court also heard that Bolger's father had been murdered. He was shot dead in a pub in Dublin city centre in 1994. Bolger also had a conviction for a road traffic offence.
Ms Barry said she empathised with Bolger's mother, Jean. "God help his mother . . . she's without her son too. My heart goes out to her," she said.