'Unstable' man waved pellet gun at young children in Limerick estate
Judge told Lorenzo Morey was captured on CCTV footage carrying the fake firearm
A LIMERICK man who has spent “the majority of his life in custody” is to be sentenced later this week after he admitted pointing an imitation firearm at a group of children.
Lorenzo Morey, aged 29, with an address at Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, appeared before Judge Colin Daly, via video-link from Limerick Prison, having pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic imitation firearm.
Giving evidence, Sergeant Shane Keane, of Roxboro garda station, said at about 10pm on July 19, 2023, gardaí received a report that a man was walking along the Link Road in Moyross with, what appeared to be, a firearm.
Gardaí attended the scene and encountered Mr Morey nearby. He was intoxicated and refused to engage.
The defendant, Garda Keane said, had also been captured on CCTV footage carrying the fake firearm.
Prior to encountering gardai, Limerick Circuit Court was told the now 29-year-old had discarded his bike and jacket in a green area close by. A garda search took place and the firearm was found and seized.
A forensic investigation later determined that this weapon was in-fact a pellet gun, also known as an air gun, which resembled that of a typical handgun. It was found to have low muzzle energy.
It was prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan’s case that while it was an imitation firearm, it was an offensive weapon as it appeared realistic.
The air gun was presented to Judge Daly and CCTV was played to the court by Garda Keane, who said Mr Morey was seen walking from the Cosgrave Park area to the Link Road holding a black jacket and appearing to be concealing something.
At approximately 9:57pm, the Limerick native was seen meeting an unknown acquaintance and showing him the imitation firearm. He then pointed and waved the pellet gun toward a group of children who were playing on the AstroTurf, near Moyross community centre.
Judge Daly heard that Mr Morey appeared to be in an “agitated” state and that he pointed the imitation weapon towards the male youths a number of times.
Lorenzo Morey was arrested on July 16, 2024, on foot of a bench warrant for a separate matter.
After being interviewed by gardaí on two occasions, he told authorities he had a poor recollection of the events as he had been drinking and taking drugs consistently, for about six days, as he had been celebrating his birthday.
Mr Morey did however admit to owning the realistic imitation firearm, identified himself on CCTV and accepted full responsibility for the offence.
Mr O’Sullivan, prosecuting, said it was his view that the 29-year-old is an “erratic, unpredictable and unstable” individual who has spent the “majority of his life in custody.”
He has spent the majority of his life in custody.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that Mr Morey has a number of previous convictions, including for endangerment, arson, robbery, violent disorder, production of an article and assault.
Defence barrister Liam Carroll, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, put it to Judge Daly that no actual complaints had been made against his client as gardaí were alerted by those monitoring CCTV in the area.
He also stated none of the young males had been impacted, as the firearm was not real and that such weapons can be purchased widely for recreational purposes.
It was Mr Carroll’s view that there was no prospect of physical harm whatsoever on the night of July 19, 2023, despite his client being under the influence for days on end.
Mr Morey was co-operative with gardai following his arrest and the court was informed that he had a “difficult and challenging” upbringing.
In mitigation, Mr Carroll stated that “not a lot has to be said” about what happened as the facts “somewhat speak for themselves”. However, he submitted the weapon was not capable of inflicting harm nor did his client harm anyone.
While it is accepted that Mr Morey was "heavily intoxicated,” his barrister asked that “some credit” be given to him as he had pleaded guilty at an early stage.
Limerick Circuit Court was also informed that until his time in custody, for a separate matter, the defendant was “virtually always” under the influence of intoxicants as he was brought up in an environment which somewhat normalised it.
Despite his “exceptionally unhealthy relationship” with substances, Mr Morey is doing well in prison and has attempted to avail of counselling but has been unable to do so due to capacity issues.
He is apologetic and Mr Carroll saying his client “must come to terms with his problems or this will happen again.”
Judge Colin Daly has indicated he will impose sentencing on July 29.