GERARD Dundon has pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder before a sitting of the three judge Special Criminal Court. 24-year-old Dundon of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston is one of eight men that were arrested in connection with a Garda investigation into extortion. Dundon’s guilty plea comes at an early stage as an original trial date was set for all eight to face the non-jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on March 1, 2011, as part of major investigation into organised crime in Limerick.
Dundon, together with the other seven men were arrested in April this year and have remained in custody. At a Limerick District Court sitting in July, they were sent forward for trial to the Special Criminal Court under the direction of the DPP.
The 24 year old appeared last week before the three judge court and admitted violent disorder where he was part of a group that used or threatened to use violence to cause people to fear for their safety or the safety of others at Sarsfield Avenue Garryowen on February 17 last.
He is to be sentenced in the new year ahead of the trial for the other seven. Dundon remains in custody.
The other seven, 47-year-old Jimmy Collins, Crecora Avenue, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan on October 17, 2009 at the Milk Market, Limerick, and with demanding money with menaces.
Collins is also charged with demanding money with menaces at John Carew Park, Southill, on dates between January 29 and February 27, 2009.
Gareth Collins-Keogh of Hyde Avenue, the 27-year-old, son of Jimmy Collins, faces charges of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan on the October date in question and with demanding money with menaces.
He is also charged with violent disorder on February 17 last.
Christopher McCarthy, aged 27, of Crecora Avenue, is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan on October 17, 2009 at the Milk Market and with demanding money with menaces.
He is also charged with demanding money with menaces from Mr Heffernan on dates between September and October 2008 at John Carew Park.
27-year-old Christopher McCormack of McNamara Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street, and his 25-year-old brother, David, from Crecora Avenue, are both charged with violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen on February 17.
Michael Bridgeman, (not pictured) aged 51, of Glenview, Ballyneety is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Mark Heffernan at John Carew Park on dates between January 29 and February 12 last. A charge of demanding money with menaces will also be heard at the Special Criminal Court.
The youngest of the eight men, 19-year-old Patrick Pickford, Talbot Avenue, Prospect, is charged with demanding money with menaces.
All were granted legal aid and afforded one counsel for the sitting of the Special Criminal Court, and will face trial together on March 1 next.