Two men plead guilty to firearms charges following shooting incident in Limerick city

TWO MEN have pleaded guilty to firearms charges relating to a shooting incident on the northside of Limerick city earlier this year.

When arraigned at Limerick Circuit Court this Wednesday, Pa Roche, aged 33, of Cliona Park, Moyross and Ray Roche, aged 35, also of Cliona Park, Moyross pleaded guilty to possession of a 12-gauge sawn-off shotgun with the intent to endanger life.

Both men, who appeared in court separately, also pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm for an unlawful purpose and to a charge of criminal damage. 

The charges relate to an incident which occurred outside a residential property at Altamira Court, Thomondgate at around 5am on June 6, last.

A major garda investigation was launched following the incident and both defendants first appeared in court a number of days after the shooting.

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Having noted the defendants' guilty pleas, Judge Colin Daly commented that each matter is "now one for sentence".

Barrister John O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said both cases should "travel together" and he requested a sentencing date in December.

Judge Daly agreed and both men were remanded in continuing custody to appear before the court again on December 15.