'Distinctive' hoodie links slash hook-accused to Limerick chipper visit amid feud, court hears

A LIMERICK garda alleges a man seen on CCTV in possession of a slash hook is the same man he saw in a chipper, some 11 hours later, due to his distinctive clothing.

Garda Robert Young said, during a contested bail application, that the accused is believed to be part of an ongoing feud in Kilmallock between two families.

Martin O’Reilly, aged 30, of Portauns, Kilmallock, County Limerick is charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely a slash hook. It is contrary to Section 9(1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. It is alleged that the offence took place in Deebert Park, Kilmallock around noon on Monday, May 12.

Sarah Ryan, solicitor for Mr O’Reilly, made a bail application which was opposed by Garda Young, on behalf of the State last Thursday, May 15.

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Garda Young alleged that gardai intercepted three vehicles carrying up to 16 males on the main street of Kilmallock.

“When approached, these males fled the scene. The accused was identified on CCTV as one of the males who was carrying a slash hook. It is my belief that he is part of an ongoing feud in Kilmallock between two families. It is my belief he will become involved in the feud and commit further serious offences if granted bail,” alleged Garda Young.

Ms Ryan told Limerick District Court  the garda case is “substantially, if not entirely, based on CCTV footage”.

Garda Young said he was on patrol on Monday, May 12, and tensions were very high in the town.

“At approximately 11pm, I observed Mr O’Reilly in Mega Bites in Kilmallock and the clothing he was wearing.

“Later that night, at approximately 1am, we were watching CCTV from the incident at noon and the clothing of one of the men matched that of Mr O’Reilly. He was wearing white runners, blue jeans and a black hoodie with a grey strip down the middle with writing. It was extremely distinctive,” alleged Garda Young.

Ms Ryan asked if there was facial recognition?

“No. I believe the man in Mega Bites is the man with the slash hook,” said Garda Young.

Ms Ryan said Mr O’Reilly denies he is the person in the footage, saying there is a considerable difference in time between the alleged incident at noon and 11pm when Mr O’Reilly was in Mega Bites.

CCTV footage was played for Judge Aine Clancy.

Ms Ryan put it to Garda Young that Mr O’Reilly has two brothers who are the same height and size as her client. Garda Young said there are “slight differences”.

Judge Clancy said it was a very serious charge and she had viewed the CCTV.

“I am not making any finding but it looks like a very serious incident to me. I do acknowledge you are before the court an innocent person and the presumption of innocence will always remain,” said Judge Clancy.

The judge said she had to weigh up Mr O’Reilly’s right to liberty and protecting the public. Judge Clancy said having considered the evidence she is going to grant Mr O’Reilly bail on very strict conditions.

The judge granted Mr O’Reilly bail on his own bond of €3,000, €750 to be lodged into the court and an independent surety of €3,000, €1,000 to be lodged.

Garda Young asked for bail conditions including “no contact by any means whatsoever” with a named family; stay out of Fairyfield and Ballygibba, Kilmallock; not to loiter or congregate at the junction of Wolfe Tone, Sarsfield, Lord Edward streets with “other members of the O’Reilly clan”; obey a curfew of 11pm to 7am; be contactable 24 hours a day and be of sober habits in public.

The case was adjourned to a future date.