A JUDGE has been asked to disregard an unfavourable probation report sought by lawyers for a Limerick man who was extradited from Bulgaria over threats to kill a potential State witness.
Vincent Collopy (37) who is originally from St Ita’s Street in St Mary’s Park, was extradited from Sunny Beach, Bulgaria for threatening to kill Willie Moran at Island Road, on June 9, 2010.
He pleaded guilty to threatening, menacing, intimidating or putting fear in to potential State witness with the intention of perverting the course of justice at Limerick Circuit Court.
Outlining the case at Limerick Circuit Court, prosecution counsel John O’Sullivan said Collopy lived in Manchester before moving to Bulgaria where he was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant and returned to Limerick on May 27, 2014.
Sergeant Ivan Muldoon said that Willie Moran and his then girlfriend were driving in St Mary’s Park when Vincent Collopy and his brother Brian followed them to Island Road where they shouted at Willie Moran and made the shape of a gun with their hands.
Vincent Collopy was hanging out the passenger side of the van shouting “bang bang Willie” with his brother Brian shouting “Willie, you’re going to get it”.
Defence Counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that as his client was not under arrest at the time he left for Manchester, he therefore had not fled the jurisdiction.
He said that Vincent Collopy has changed his life considerably since then.
He asked that a Probation Report he had canvassed would not be considered by Judge O’Donnell.
Judge O’Donnell said it was the first time in 20 years he was asked to have a probation report withdrawn because the defence felt it was unfavourable to the defendant.
The case was adjourned to July 28 for sentence.
