A submachine gun found in Limerick last week was to be used in a serious offence by a criminal gang involved in a feud that has claimed four lives, gardaí claimed in court yesterday.
The Ingram submachine gun, a silencer, a firearm magazine and 150 rounds of ammunition were found when gardaí stopped a teenager driving a car on the outskirts of the city.
It is alleged that Patrick Dowling (18), Deer Court, John Carew Park, Limerick, was found in possession of the items early on St Patrick's Day.
He was arrested and charged at Limerick District Court last Friday.
In court yesterday the State objected to a bail application made on behalf of the teenager by defence solicitor Ted McCarthy.
Outlining the State's objection, Det David Nolan, Roxboro Garda station, said if granted bail the accused would commit further offences. Garda Nolan said he also feared the defendant would interfere with potential witnesses.
"We now have possession of this firearm and silencer and I have no doubt that people would make it their business to approach the accused, were he granted bail, to pay off his debt," the detective added.
Gardaí also alleged in court yesterday that the specialised submachine gun was on its way into the hands of a notorious Limerick feuding gang when found in the possession of Mr Dowling.
Mr McCarthy said his client had ADHD and was effectively a boy in a man's body,with the mental age of a 10-year-old.
Det Nolan said he had interviewed the accused man three times since he was brought into custody, but he "did not strike me as having a mental age of a 10-year-old".
In addition to the four murders arising from the feud, there have been 150-plus serious incidents, involving the seizure of incendiary devices, a car bomb and a Sterling submachine gun, the detective added.
Mr McCarthy said his client was receiving ongoing treatment from the child psychiatric services and was the type that is easily led.
Judge Leo Malone said he would not be prepared to grant bail in the absence of medical evidence regarding the defendant's condition, and he adjourned the application to next Wednesday's court sitting.