Armed gardai at Limerick court as men charged in connection with organised criminal activity

THERE was a heavy garda presence, including armed officers, at a special sitting of Newcastle West Court this Saturday.

There were two inspectors - Gearoid Thompson and Padraig Sutton; three sergeants, four armed gardai and over a dozen gardai between plain clothes and uniform at the special court sitting in Newcastle West this Saturday.

Two men, who were being detained by gardai following an operation targeting organised criminal activity in County Limerick on Tuesday, October 23, were charged before the court. Two other men appeared before Limerick District Court on Thursday in connection with the same operation.

Garda Shane O'Neill gave evidence of charging Kieran Fogarty, aged 19, of Hyde Avenue, Ballincaurra Weston, Limerick city with a number of alleged offences.

They included possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property and a threat to kill at O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick city on June 4, 2023. Mr Fogarty was also charged with criminal damage, production of an article and violent disorder at John Carew Park, Southill on April 11, 2023.

Garda O'Neill said Mr Fogarty made "no reply" when each charge was put to him.

Darach McCarthy, solicitor for Mr Fogarty during the brief procedural matter, said he was making no application for bail. Legal aid was granted as Mr Fogarty, who was wearing a dark grey tracksuit, is not working.

Mr Fogarty was remanded in custody by Judge Carol Anne Coolican to appear before Limerick District Court via videolink next week.

The second man to be charged at the special sitting was Christopher O'Donoghue, aged 31, of Maigue Way, John Carew Park, Limerick city.

Garda Sean O'Connor said Mr O'Donoghue made no reply to each charge after caution. Mr O'Donoghue was charged with possession of and the sale or supply of drugs at Umeraboy West, Knocknagree, Co Cork on October 24, 2023. He was also charged with obstructing a member of An Garda Siochana at the same date and location.

Garda O'Connor charged Mr O'Donoghue with violent disorder, production of an article and criminal damage at John Carew Park, Southill, Limerick city on April 11, 2023. Mr O'Donoghue was further charged with five dangerous driving offences - four on the Ennis Road and one at O'Callaghan Strand, Limerick city on October 14, 2023.

Liam Carroll, barrister for Mr O'Donoghue, made no application for bail. Judge Coolican remanded the accused, who was wearing a black tracksuit, in custody.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, representing the State, made an application for Mr O'Donoghue to appear at Limerick District Court via videolink next week.

Judge Coolican granted legal aid following Mr Carroll's application, saying his client is not in gainful employment.