Criminal threatened to have prison officer killed, court hears
A violent criminal threatened a Limerick prison officer that he could spend up to €20,000 to have him killed, a court has heard.
Gary Campion of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, told the prison officer that he had already shot people in Limerick for €10,000 and would have no problem spending twice that amount to take his life.
Campion pleaded guilty today at Limerick Circuit Court to a charge of threatening to kill under the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person’s Act.
The 21 year-old father of two, described by gardaí as a violent and intimidating character, made the threats against Limerick Prison Officer, John Ryan and his family at the jail on May 26 last year.
The court heard that Campion, who is currently serving a prison sentence, has a long list of previous convictions, including seven for violent offences and one previous conviction for issuing a threat to kill.
Gardaí told the court that the threats were issued as the prison officer went to the help of a colleague who had raised the alarm that he was in difficulty.
As prison staff attempted to restrain the defendant, threats were constantly issued at Officer Ryan who was told: “If it’s the last thing I do, I will get you and your family”.
The court heard that Campion had shouted “Ryan, you still have to go out that Dublin road every evening” and that the prison officer feared for his life and for his family’s safety.
Another prison officer, who helped restore calm, recalled the defendant saying: “I know your family. I will have ye all blown away."
The court heard that the accused repeated this threat several times and said he had shot people for less.
After the injured party dismissed the threat, the court heard that Campion replied with: “It wouldn’t be my first time”.
Although there has been no incident since the threats were issued, the prison officer remains fearful, the court heard.
Defence Counsel, Mark Nicholas, BL, conceded that his client was high and out of control on the date in question.
Mr Nicholas added that while his client’s comments were inflammatory and put the injured party in fear, it did not mean there was any intention to carry them out.
Judge Carroll Moran told Limerick Circuit Court that it was a very serious matter and he needed time to consider the penalty.
He adjourned sentencing to May 12.
