Man charged in Limerick pub shooting probe
A man has appeared in court charged with threatening to kill a 19 year-old barman who was shot twice last Sunday night in a busy Limerick city pub.
Wayne Dundon, aged 26, with an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, was appearing this afternoon before Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick District Court.
The defendant was also charged with punching two detectives in the face during an interview this morning at Henry Street garda station in Limerick.
Mr Dundon, who was wearing a white hooded top, did not speak during today's 30-minute hearing at Limerick District Court.
Opposing a bail application by Defence solicitor, Sean Elder, gardaí told the court it would be alleged the defendant was involved in a confrontation with barman, Ryan Lee, at 9.25pm on Sunday night at Brannigan's Bar, Mulgrave Street.
Detective Garda Ronan McDonagh told the court Wayne Dundon allegedly threatened to kill the barman and made gestures with his hand in the shape of a gun.
Det. Garda McDonagh further told the court that some 24 minutes after the alleged threats were made, Mr Lee was shot twice in the knee and hip by a lone gunman who entered the bar.
He told Judge O'Donnell that the case against the defendant was based on evidence from the alleged victim and from CCTV footage from the pub.
Detective Inspector Jim Browne told the court that Mr Lee was still in hospital where he was being treated for gunshot wounds, and when the alleged threat was made, he firmly believed it would be carried out.
"I believe the defendant has access to firearms and if he is released on bail the safety of the witness cannot be guaranteed," alleged Detective Inspector Browne.
The court also heard garda allegations that the defendant sometimes uses the surname McCarthy and that his family have "strong associations" in the UK and on the Continent.
In recent months, he has been living at an address in Lenihan Avenue but prior to that he moved around a lot. On the night of the alleged threats he had stayed at an address in Fitzhaven Square.
Judge Tom O'Donnell further heard today that the defendant had also been charged with two counts of assault on gardaí.
It would be alleged the defendant had punched Detective Garda Arthur Ryan four times in the face and had punched Detective Garda Brendan Casey twice in the face during interview this morning.
The defendant had to be restrained by gardaí in what they alleged was an unprovoked attack and the events were captured on CCTV cameras in the interview room, the court heard.
Judge Tom O'Donnell refused the bail application and said he was satisfied all three charges against the accused man were "very serious".
He remanded the accused in custody to appear again before Limerick District Court on Wednesday next December 29 at 11am.
