THERE WAS a large Garda presence both inside and outside Limerick District Court yesterday, including members of the armed Regional Support Unit, where seven men appeared on charges of violent disorder, threatening to kill or cause serious harm, and demanding money with menaces.
The accused men were among nine people arrested in Limerick last Friday during a major Garda operation, which involved 130 officers.
A 19-year-old man also arrested in the same operation appeared before a special court sitting on Saturday on charges of demanding money with menaces.
Among those who appeared before the special court sitting was 24-year-old Ger Dundon of Hyde Road, Limerick, who is charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, 2010.
Garda Brian Colbert gave evidence of formally charging the 24-year-old at Bruff Garda station on Saturday.
In his evidence Garda Colbert said Mr Dundon replied, “Ye are stitching me up again”, after he was charged.
Barrister Shane O’Callaghan asked that Madden and Finnucane solicitors be assigned to represent Mr Dundon, who was granted free legal aid.
No bail application was made and Mr Dundon was remanded in custody until this Friday, April 30th.
Judge Tom O’Donnell asked that the State be notified if bail was being sought on that date.
The only bail application was made on behalf of Michael Bridgeman (51), Glenview, Ballyneety, Limerick who is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan at John Carew Park, Limerick, on unspecified dates between January 29th, 2009, and February 12th, 2010.
Mr Bridgeman is also charged with demanding money with menaces at the same location on the same dates.
During the bail application, Det Supt Jim Browne said the State was objecting to the granting of bail because of the seriousness of the charges.
Det Supt Browne told the court the alleged injured party and his family were under 24-hour armed Garda protection.
Judge Tom O’Donnell denied bail, citing the very sinister overall context of the charges and remanded Mr Bridgeman in custody until Friday, when he is due to appear before the same court again by video link.
Also appearing before yesterday’s special court sitting were Limerick brothers Christopher McCormack (27), McNamara Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick, and David McCormack (25), Crecora Avenue, Weston, Limerick.
Both men are charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, 2010.
They were also remanded in custody until Friday along with a father and son who also appeared before yesterday’s special sitting charged with demanding money with menaces at John Carew Park on unspecified dates between January 29th, 2009, and February 27th, 2009.
Gareth Keogh-Collins, aged 27, Hyde Avenue, Limerick, and his father James Collins, aged 47, of Crecora Avenue, Limerick, are also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan on October 17th, 2009, at the Milk Market, Limerick, and with demanding money with menaces on the same date.
Mr Keogh-Collins is also charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, this year.
Christopher McCarthy (27), Crecora Avenue, Limerick is also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan on October 17th, 2009 at the Milk Market, Limerick, and with demanding money with menaces on the same date.
Judge O’Donnell remanded Mr McCarthy along with the other accused men in custody until Friday when they are due to appear before the same court again.
It is expected bail applications will be made on that date.