THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered eight Limerick men, arrested as part of an investigation into alleged extortion, go on trial at a non-jury Special Criminal Court.
The eight defendants appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday where they were sent forward for trial to the three-judge court on foot of a certificate handed into court on behalf of the DPP. All eight men were arrested by gardaí in Limerick last April as part of the same investigation.
They face a number of separate charges, including threatening to kill a man, violent disorder and alleged extortion. The alleged offences took place on a number of dates in Limerick between 2008 and 2010.
All of the defendants were wearing handcuffs when they were served with books of evidence in court yesterday.
State Solicitor, Michael Murray told the court that some of the accused had not co-operated with prison officers in the holding cells.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said he was not comfortable with the fact that the men had to be handcuffed but he said the “antics” of some of the accused last Tuesday, and again in court yesterday, had dictated this.
Judge O’Donnell said it was in “these circumstances” that he had acceded to the State’s request for the men to be handcuffed.
Among those who appeared in court yesterday was 24-year-old Ger Dundon from Hyde Road in Limerick. He is charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, 2010.
When his case was called, Mr Dundon covered his ears and repeatedly shouted, “I am not listening to the court” and stuck his middle finger up at the judge.
Jimmy Collins (47), Crecora Avenue, Limerick, accused the court of treating him like an animal and demanded that the handcuffs be removed.
“This wouldn’t happen 100 years ago. You should be ashamed of yourselves,” he said.
He is charged with demanding money with menaces at John Carew Park on unspecified dates between January 2009 and February 2009. He 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.
His son, Gareth Collins-Keogh (27), Hyde Avenue, Limerick, is charged with the same offences and is also charged with with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, 2010.
Both father and son were also charged yesterday with another count of demanding money with menaces on an unspecified date between January and February 2009 at John Carew Park.
Christopher McCarthy (27), of Crecora Avenue, Limerick was also charged yesterday with another count of demanding money with menaces on an unspecified date between September 2008 and October 2008.
He was already 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.
Also appearing in court yesterday were Christopher McCormack (27), of McNamara Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick and his younger brother, David McCormack (25) from Crecora Avenue, Weston, Limerick. The brothers are both charged with committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on February 17th, 2010.
A seventh men, Michael Bridgeman (51), from Glenview, Ballyneety, Co Limerick 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. He is also charged with demanding money with menaces at the same location on the same dates.
The eighth man, Patrick Pickford (19), from Talbot Avenue, Prospect, Limerick is charged with demanding money with menaces.
All eight accused were granted legal aid to cover their costs, including one legal counsel.
Judge O’Donnell remanded them in continued custody until they appear before a sitting of a Special Criminal Court. It was not indicated when the trial before the non-jury court would take place but Judge O’Donnell said as the accused had been in custody for some time he thought they would appear quickly.