Man accused of producing iron bar during ‘heated’ dispute in Limerick housing estate

A JUDGE has accepted jurisdiction in the case of a man who is accused of producing an iron bar during a dispute with another man at a housing estate on the outskirts of the city.

Shane McNamara, aged 27 with a home address at St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park in Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court to face a single charge arising from the incident.

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Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters told the court that gardaí were alerted to reports of a person possessing a firearm during an altercation between two men.

Outlining the alleged facts, Sergeant Waters said that on August 10 last at approximately 5.10pm, gardaí were called to Brú Na Gruadán in Castletroy following reports of a “heated conversation” between two men, one of whom was the defendant.

The court heard that as the other man was walking away from Mr McNamara’s vehicle, the defendant exited the vehicle, resulting in the second man “sprinting away”. It is the prosecution case that Mr McNamara was observed carrying an object in his hand.

Sergeant Waters said “other persons” who witnessed the incident contacted gardaí to report a person with a possible firearm.

However, when gardaí attended the scene, they established that no firearm was involved and that both men had left the housing estate.

He said Mr McNamara was later identified through “grainy” CCTV footage and was interviewed by gardaí the following day.

During the interview, it was established that the object produced during the dispute was an iron bar. It is the prosecution case that the iron bar was subsequently seized from Mr McNamara’s vehicle.

When asked by presiding Judge Patricia Harney whether the iron bar had been used or merely produced, Sergeant Waters confirmed it had not been used.

Judge Harney accepted jurisdiction in the matter and remanded Mr McNamara on continuing bail to April 23 for summary disposal.