A father and son have been remanded in custody after they have been charged in reference to the firing of a shot at gardaí making ready to go looking a home as a part of an investigation right into a feud in Cork metropolis.
James Keenan (54) and his son, Peter Keenan (26), appeared amid tight safety at a particular sitting of Cork District Courtroom on Saturday night time following the incident through which a shot was fired at members of the Cork Armed Help Unit.
James Keenan was charged with three offences – possession of an improvised firearm, a shotgun, possession of ammunition and reckless discharge of a firearm – all at his residence at Island View, Rochestown Highway, Cork on April twenty ninth .
Peter Keenan, of the identical deal with, was charged with the identical first two offences as his father – possession of an improvised firearm and possession of ammunition on the identical location on the identical night
Det Garda Tom Delaney gave proof of arrest, cost and warning in relation to James Keenan and advised the courtroom that the accused made the identical response to all three expenses once they have been put him after warning.
He mentioned James Keenan replied to the fees: “I’m very, very sorry. I didn’t imply to harm anybody or something. I’m simply attempting to guard my household from the McDonaghs . . . When the gun went off, I didn’t see anybody within the hallway.”
Det Garda Ronan McGuckin advised the courtroom that Peter Keenan made no reply to both cost once they have been put to him.
Gardaí objected to bail for each males as a result of seriousness of the fees and their concern each would commit additional offences if granted bail.
The officers testified that gardaí had acquired confidential info that the Keenans had firearms on the home as they have been concerned in an escalating feud with one other household so gardaí searched the home.
Det Garda Delaney mentioned gardaí would allege that members of the Armed Help Unit have been making ready to enter the Keenan home when a shot was fired at them.
“It’s alleged that because the Armed Help Unit have been on the entrance to the property, James Keenan discharged an improvised firearm at gardaí. James Keenan was subsequently secured and introduced from the home,” he mentioned.
He mentioned that gardaí would allege that Garda technical consultants carried out a forensic examination and located James Keenan’s DNA on the metallic a part of the shotgun whereas in addition they discovered firearm residue on James Keenan’s arms.
Det Garda McGuckin mentioned that the State would allege that Peter Keenan was caught with an improvised shotgun however that he surrendered it when challenged by the Armed Help Unit.
Each officers testified that gardaí discovered some 20 rounds of ammunition, 23 petrol bombs in addition to hand weapons which officers consider was proof of the escalating nature of the feud with the opposite household.
Defence solicitor Donal Daly put it to Det Garda Delaney that James Keenan denied intentionally firing the gun at gardaí and advised them that he fired it to frighten off different individuals whom he thought have been attacking his home.
Lodged in body of door
Det Garda Delaney mentioned he accepted that was what James Keenan had mentioned at interview. However the truth remained he had fired a shot at gardaí which forensics discovered had lodged within the body of the door that officers have been about to enter.
Det Garda McGuckin mentioned gardaí believed that if Peter Keenan was granted bail, that there was an actual danger of the feud escalating additional which might endanger the security of people, households and the group.
Each officers agreed with Mr Daly that they had referred to as quite a few occasions to the Keenan home previously week after the Keenans expressed concern that they may be attacked by the opposite household who had been driving previous their home.
Choose James McNulty mentioned granting bail to both accused would pose “an unacceptable danger”.
He refused bail to each and remanded them in custody to seem once more in courtroom on Might sixth by video hyperlink. He additionally granted each males free authorized assist after listening to that they have been unemployed.
A 19-year-old man, 24-year-old man and 58-year-old girl arrested as a part of the identical investigation have been all launched on Saturday with out cost and recordsdata will likely be ready for the DPP on their involvement.