by Andrew Carey
THE mother of a young Limerick man who was killed outside his home has called for longer sentences for people convicted of murder.
Speaking at Limerick city coroner’s court this week, Gabrielle Brosnan said her family was destroyed by the murder of her 25 year-old son, Gareth Brosnan Grant, at St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park on October 8, 2007.
She thanked Gardaí for the “brilliant work from start to finish” and for their support given to her family.
However, after she heard details of her son’s death recalled at the inquest, Ms Brosnan said that her family, including her son’s partner and mother to three children said that they are living with a “real life sentence” and that no family should have to go through what they have gone through.
Gareth Brosnan Grant was gunned down outside his home by Greg Crawford (27) of St. Munchin’s Street, St Mary’s Park.
The young father of three was outside smoking a cigarette when a hooded gunman approached and shot him through the arm with the bullet exiting through the opposite side of his body.
His partner Claire Ronan said that she heard a bang and ran outside and saw a gunman standing over her partner’s body holding a black gun as if he was going to shoot again before he fled.
Greg Crawford was later arrested and charged with murdering Gareth Brosnan-Grant. He was found guilty at a trial in the Central Criminal Court in March 2012.
After Crawford failed in his attempt to have the appeal overturned last March, the inquest into the death of Mr Brosnan Grant was finally scheduled for Tuesday last.
After the jury returned a verdict of murder, Gabrielle Brosnan thanked the Gardaí for their ‘brilliant work from start to finish’.
“It was a very hard time for us and I’m just delighted that it’s all over”, she said.
