A man accused of hiring a hitman to shoot dead a Limerick doorman was yesterday refused bail.
Anthony Kelly (49), of Cragg House, Kilrush in Co Clare, has been charged with the murder of Brian Fitzgerald in the city four years ago.
Mr Fitzgerald (34) was shot dead outside his home at Brookhaven Walk, Corbally, on November 29th, 2002.
Gardaí believe Mr Kelly and an associate recruited James Cahill and another man to carry out the killing.
Cahill, who has previously admitted his involvement, is serving life imprisonment at a secure location. Mr Fitzgerald was head of security at Doc's nightclub.
Det Sgt Seamus Nolan yesterday told the High Court, sitting at Cloverhill Courthouse, that Cahill has said he would give evidence against the accused.
A second gang member - Philip Deane, from Birmingham, England - is on the witness protection programme over fears for his safety after giving gardaí a substantial amount of information over the doorman's murder.
Mr Justice Paul Butler heard that gardaí feared Mr Kelly would flee the country if freed on bail.
Objecting to the bail application, Sgt Nolan said he also feared Mr Kelly would take serious steps to make sure Cahill and his former gang member did not appear to give evidence against him.
"They are even more at risk of being murdered now that he has been charged," he said.
Sgt Nolan told the court Mr Kelly had connections in the UK, across Europe and in Morocco and China, which have no extradition agreements with Ireland.
He also said the accused, a separated father of three who had a new partner, had tried to sell his home. His sons, the court heard, lived in Cork and were excluded from Kilrush for public order offences.
Sgt Nolan said Mr Kelly's furniture firms are a cover for a massive drugs and firearms importation business. He accused Mr Kelly of being one of the country's biggest importers.
Mr Kelly's sister, Helen Stack, had offered a €75,000 bond to secure his bail. "I would object to €75 million," replied Sgt Nolan.
"He drives a car which is worth in excess of €100,000 and has substantial interests in Morocco, Europe and China. I believe he is closely linked with criminals in this area. I believe Mr Kelly should not be granted bail. I do not think any assurance would assure he will turn up at court.
"I believe if Mr Kelly is granted bail, he will not appear for his trial," Sgt Nolan added. "I believe there is a substantial and real risk witnesses will be murdered, even within the confines of prison.
"From speaking to Mr Cahill himself, he clearly outlines the efforts made previously to assassinate Mr Deane to and from prison.
"There was a female, I believe, noting his movements with a view to pointing him out so he could be shot. Consideration was given to using a rocket launcher to blow up the transport used." Deane had previously admitted being a drug and gun "mule" for Mr Kelly and his gang, and has served a prison sentence for possession of firearms.
Anthony Sammon SC, for Mr Kelly, said his client had left the jurisdiction numerous times since his first arrest in May and had returned each time without fail.
Mr Justice Paul Butler refused bail and Mr Kelly was remanded in custody. A trial is expected within the next nine months. - (PA)