A LIMERICK man who was arrested with seven other men following a Garda investigation into extortion has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to violent disorder.
David McCormack (25), Crecora Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty yesterday to causing a violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, Limerick, on February 17th last.
He is to be sentenced in the new year before his co-accused stand trial in March on charges including making threats to kill and demanding money with menaces.
Ger Dundon (24), Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty last week to the same charge. Both men will be sentenced on February 4th.
Six other men, who have been in custody since July, are standing trial before the Special Criminal Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions certified that the ordinary courts were inadequate to deal with the case.
Christopher McCormack (27), McNamara Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street, is also charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue on the same date.
Gareth Collins Keogh (27), Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, and his father Jimmy Collins (47), Crecora Avenue, are charged with demanding money with menaces from Mark Heffernan at John Carew Park, between January 29th and February 28th, 2009.
They are also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Heffernan on October 17th, 2009, at the Milk Market, and with demanding money with menaces on the same date.
Mr Collins Keogh is also charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue on February 17th.
Christopher McCarthy (27), Crecora Avenue, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Heffernan at the Milk Market and with demanding money with menaces on the same date.
Michael Bridgeman (51), Glenview, Ballyneety, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mr Heffernan at John Carew Park between January 29th, 2009, and February 12th, 2010, and with demanding money with menaces.
Patrick Pickford (19), Talbot Avenue, Prospect, is charged with demanding money with menaces.