Caravan shotgun attack case begins
A man accused of opening fire with a shotgun on a occupied caravan has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Francis O'Donnell (aged 26) of Meakstown Close, Finglas has pleaded not guilty to possession of a shotgun, endangerment and causing damage to a caravan at St Josephs Park, also in Finglas, on April 26 2005.
Opening the case, prosecuting counsel, Mr Dominic McGinn BL, said Ms Mary McCann was in her caravan at 5.30am when she heard two men shouting outside.
She told gardaí she looked out the window and that one of them was the accused who was armed with a shotgun. She would say she begged them not to shoot and dived to the ground before a number of shots hit the caravan. The men drove off and gardai arrived on the scene.
Mr McGinn said that Ms McCann's sons were in the neighbouring caravan and also witnessed the incident. One of them claimed he recognised Mr O'Donnell. An examination revealed three waddings from shotgun cartridges and pellets inside and outside the caravan.
The trial continues before Judge Tony Hunt and a jury of nine men and three women.
