The main witness in the trial of five men accused of murdering Kieran Keane today alleged that four men were to be murdered on the night the victim was shot dead in Limerick and he himself was left fighting for his life.
Mr Owen Treacy told the Central Criminal Court jury today that when he and Kieran Keane arrived at a house in Fairgreen, Limerick on the night of the killing, one accused, Desmond Dundon, placed hoods over their heads and taped their hands behind their backs. Another accused, Anthony "Noddy" McCarthy pointed a handgun at them and ordered them to sit.
The witness told the jury that he and Mr Keane were then asked to make a phonecall to lure two brothers, Kieran and Phillip Collopy, "out the road" but refused to do so.
Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, for Desmond Dundon, put it to the witness that he and Mr Keane were told they would subsequently be returned safely to their homes.
"My Lord, what these men had in their heads was to kill the four of us on the 29th January. The four of us were going to be killed", Mr Treacy replied.
"If me or my uncle Kieran made that call, there was four of us going to be killed," he said. He added that the men "wanted us to get the Collopy brothers out on the Sandwell bank".
Counsel asked if he was wrong in alleging that Desmond Dundon tied their hands. "My Lord, members of the jury, the man that taped my hands is Dessie Dundon" adding that he also "taped Kieran's."
They were then taken to a lonely road at Drombana where Kieran Keane was shot dead - allegedly by the accused David "Frog's Eye" Stanners - and where the witness was stabbed 17 times.
Owen Treacy identified the accused David "Frog's Eye" Stanner as the third man in Fairgreen. He claimed he was one of two men wearing balaclavas who came from the kitchen area while he and Kieran Keane were held at gunpoint in the sitting room.
The witness said "Frog's Eye" spoke just one word - "Well". Mr O'Carroll suggested to the witness that not only could he escape from his binds, but he could also identify men in balacavas.
Mr Treacy replied that he identified Mr Stanners by his eyes and his voice: "He's a man I know all my life." "Not a scintilla of doubt about it?" counsel asked. "No doubt whatsover, My Lord. I could identify David "Frog's Eye" Stanners." "Wearing a balaclava?" Mr O'Carroll continued. "That's right My Lord."
Earlier, Mr Justice Carney rejected a defence application to discharge himself following defence claims that he had given the media "carte blanche" to say and write what they wished.
He said there was a "raging debate going on at various levels", including the Dail.Mr Justice Carney told the jury "it would be idle of me to think I could put a lid on any national debate," adding that he had "no power to interfere with what's going on in National Parliament".
This trial, he added, "is going to proceed to a jury verdict".
The five accused have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kieran Keane (36) of Garryowen House, Garryowen, Limerick on 29th January last at Drombana, Bushy Island, Limerick and to falsely imprisoning Mr Keane on the same date. The accused also deny the attempted murder of Mr Keane's nephew, Owen Treacy (31) of St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick on the same date and at the same location and to falsely imprisoning Mr Treacy.
They are: Desmond Dundon (20) of Hyde Road, Limerick; David "Frog's Eye" Stanners (31) of Pineview Gardens, Moyross; James McCarthy (24) of Delmege Park, Moyross; Christopher "Smokie" Costelloe (20) of Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty Beg and Anthony "Noddy" McCarthy (21) of Fairgreen, Garryowen.
The trial before Mr Justice Carney and a jury continues tomorrow at Clover Hill courthouse.