A DUBLIN criminal, George Mitchell, arranged for three hitmen to target a family in London which was troubling one of his associates, a court has been told.
One of three, Mr Michael Boyle, managed to fire three bullets at his victim before being shot by police, the Old Bailey in London heard.
Mr Boyle (48) from Inchicore, Dublin, denies attempting to murder Mr Anthony Brindle in south London on September 20th last year. He also denies possessing two high-powered handguns with intent to endanger life.
The court was told Mr Boyle was a Garda informer who had told gardai about his planned trip to London. The gardai told him not to go, and said they would inform the British authorities of the plan.
"Boyle seemed surprised, taking the view it was not their patch," the prosecuting lawyer said.
Two armed officers in a British Gas van were waiting near Mr Brindle's London home when Mr Boyle arrived. The British police had decided not to tell Mr Brindle about the planned hit, because that "would result in an escalation of violence", the court heard.
The officers saw Mr Boyle stopping outside Mr Brindle's in a stolen van. They watched he hid behind a makeshift in the back of the van, with field of fire to shoot without getting out", said the prosecuting barrister, Mr Nigel Sweeney
Mr Boyle fired three bullets at Mr Brindle as he walked to his own car. Mr Brindle was shot in the elbow, chest and thigh, but managed to run back to his house as he was chased by Mr Boyle, who was "intent on finishing him off", Mr Sweeney said.
At that point the two officers emerged from their van and opened fire, Mr Sweeney added. The officers fired 14 shots at Mr Boyle.
The court was told there had been a long-running feud between members of the Brindle family and Mr Peter Daly, described as a London criminal and a "good friend" of Mr Mitchell's who also helped to finance Mr Mitchell's operations.