Lead pellets may remain in a Garda sergeant's body for the rest of his life as a result of his being blasted by a shotgun in an incident arising from a feud between members of two west Dublin families.
Sgt Mark Clarke thought he was going to die when he was hit in the chest and arm after a sawn- off single-barrel shotgun was discharged in Crumlin through the window of a stolen car.
Garda Jacinta Gordon, Garda John Dunne and Garda Leanna Cruise, along with civilian Arunas Rimeika, also feared for their lives when the same man pointed the shotgun at them shortly afterwards as he tried to hijack Mr Rimeika's van to escape on September 27th, 2006.
The gunman, Jonathan Radford (22), Rutland Grove, Crumlin, and a then 16-year-old youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced early next year after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a 13 charges arising out of the incident.
Radford 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 Garda Gordon and Mr Rimeika, and to threatening Mr Rimeika 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 car, dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance on the same occasion.
The judge remanded the two in continuing custody.
Det Insp Brian Sutton told Paul Carroll, prosecuting, that the incidents happened after gardaí were called to investigate a shot fired at the Kenny family home on Monasterboice Drive in the early hours of the morning.
Sgt Clarke and Garda Maria Feen went on duty at about 6am to preserve the scene. They noticed a wine-coloured Mitsubishi Lancer car approach the house at about 7am but it then reversed and took off at speed.
Sgt Clarke believed the car was involved in the shooting incident. When he saw it return, he decided to approach the vehicle which he noticed was been driven by a young person.
Det Insp Sutton said that as Sgt Clarke reached for his baton, he saw Ian Kenny approach the car and throw a beer bottle through a window into it. He then saw a shotgun pointing out the window and was in immediate fear of his life. He turned to his left and felt a stinging in his chest.
He realised he had been shot and feared he might die. Other gardaí arrived and he was taken to hospital.
At about 7.30am, other gardaí spotted the Mitsubishi Lancer and pursued it at speed over several roads in Crumlin and Drimnagh. Det Insp Sutton said a Fiesta coming on to a mini-roundabout at the junction of Mourne Road and Benbulbin Road was struck and knocked over by the stolen car which came to a stop.
Gardaí and civilians went to the assistance of the Fiesta's driver, while Garda John Dunne tried to pull the teenage driver out through the window of the Lancer.
Garda Dunne struggled with the teenage driver who bit him and ran off towards Mourne Road Church while Radford got out through the passenger door and ran towards a van.
Det Insp Sutton said Radford then pointed a shotgun at the van driver, Mr Rimeika.
When Garda Gordon and Garda Cruise approached the van, Radford pointed the shotgun at Garda Gordon's chest and she backed off. Garda Cruise feared both she and her colleague would be shot.
Radford then held the shotgun to Mr Rimeika's head while Garda Dunne went to call for armed back-up and they heard another shot being discharged.
Mr Rimeika told gardaí Radford was roaring "move, move" and, when he saw he was about to discharge the gun again, he hit Radford's arm to put his aim off.
He then pushed Radford against the car door and helped Garda Dunne to restrain and arrest him.