A COURT has heard how a 12-year-old boy carried two semi-automatic pistols and 32 rounds of ammunition in a bucket through a Limerick housing estate shortly after a man was shot in the back.
Ballistic tests confirmed that one of the weapons – a 9mm Glock pistol – was used to seriously injure a 27-year-old man who was shot in O’Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, on October 28th, 2009.
CCTV footage examined after the shooting showed the boy running down a back alleyway shortly after 8am carrying a white bucket, which contained a Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol, a Glock pistol and ammunition for both weapons, some of which was contained in a sock.
The evidence was heard at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday where two men received suspended prison sentences for storing the firearms after the shooting.
One of the accused men, 62-year-old Tony McDonnell of O’Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, admitted taking the guns from the child after he arrived at his door looking for help.
Mr McDonnell has no connection with criminality and had no knowledge of the shooting, the court heard.
Counsel for the State, John O’Sullivan, said the gun attack led to the prosecution of a Mr “X” who is due to go on trial in relation to the matter next February.
Mr McDonnell pleaded guilty to possession of the Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistol and a Glock 19 semi-automatic pistol for an unlawful purpose at his home in O’Malley Park Southill, Limerick on October 28th, 2009.
The court heard the father of six knew the boy and his family and he had often looked after him when there were difficulties at the child’s home. His defence counsel, Mark Nicholas, said his client had been trying to look after the boy and not help the perpetrators of the shooting.
Mr McDonnell telephoned his son-in-law Philip Scanlon (38) who took the guns to his home in Doon, Co Limerick, where they were recovered 10 days later.
Mr Scanlon, who also had no connection with the shooting or criminality, told gardaí he was trying to help his father-in-law.
Mr Scanlon pleaded guilty to possession of the guns for an unlawful purpose at his home in Hill View, Cahernalla, Doon, Co Limerick, on November 11th, 2009.
In his evidence Det Garda Pat Whelan described the accused men as good hardworking, honest men who “made a disastrous decision when faced with an awful situation”.
Judge Carroll Moran was handed a booklet of testimonials from people who Mr Scanlon had helped through his various fundraising drives for autism, breast cancer and road safety awareness.
The court heard he had also given employment to a number of young people from Southill through his painting business.
Judge Moran imposed a three-year jail term but suspended the sentence for three years.