Garda sergeant Mark Clarke thought he was going to die when shot in the chest and arm after a sawn-off single-barrell shotgun was discharged through the window of a stolen car, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today.
The shooting happened during a cocaine-crazed incident arising from a feud between members of two west Dublin families.
Jonathan Radford (22) of Rutland Grove, Crumlin - who was the gunman - and a then 16-year-old youth who cannot be named for legal reasons will be sentenced early next year after pleading guilty at to a total of 13 charges arising out of the incident.
Gardai Jacinta Gordon, John Dunne and Leanna Cruise, and a civilian, Mr Arunas Rimeika, also feared for their lives when the same man pointed the shotgun at them shortly afterwards as he tried to highjack Mr Rimeika's van to escape in the Crumlin area on September 27, 2006.
Radford also pleaded guilty to seven counts of having the shotgun and cartridges with intent to endanger life and having them with intent to endanger the lives of Gda Gordon and Mr Rimeika, and to threatening Mr Rimeka with a loaded shotgun.
The now 17-year-old youth pleaded guilty to six charges of having a gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, unauthorised taking of a Mitsubishi Lancer car, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance on the same occasion.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said after hearing the evidence that the case demonstrated the dangers faced by gardai faced when they are called out to investigate serious incidents.
"We rejoice that Sgt Clarke is here with us and the other gardai involved do not overestimate the effect it had on them in their victim impact statements," he said.
Judge O'Donnell ordered the preparation of probation reports and remanded the two in continuing custody.