14-year-old 'used' by criminal gang, gardaí tell court

A 14-year-old boy charged with possession of a shotgun was being used to do the "dirty work" of a Limerick criminal gang, a court has heard.

The teenager - who cannot be name for legal reasons - is charged with possessing the firearm at St Mary's Park, Limerick, on April 2nd last.

During a bail application at the Children's Court in Limerick yesterday, District Court Judge Tom O'Donnell described the young defendant's attitude as "stunning".

"Whatever about his physical size, his streetwise attitude is stunning," said Judge O'Donnell.

Judge O'Donnell heard that the teenager denied a suggestion by gardaí that he drank alcohol but admitted he smoked the "odd oul joint".

A co-accused, Michael Ryan (19), St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick, also appeared in court yesterday on the same charge. Gardaí said in respect of both teenagers that they believe they were being used to "do the dirty work" of a criminal gang based in the St Mary's Park area.

Objecting to bail applications made on behalf of both defendants Insp Séamus Gallagher said gardai had CCTV footage of the alleged incident. He claimed that Mr Ryan had drug and alcohol problems and said gardaí feared he would not come back to court to face the charge, which the gardaí considered to be "very serious".

Judge O'Donnell refused bail for the 14-year-old accused given "the serious nature of the charge" and "misgivings" over whether he would come back to court. He was remanded in custody until April 22nd. He also refused bail in the case of Mr Ryan and remanded him in custody until May 6th.

© 2008 The Irish Times

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