Courts / Westmeath / Report

Gunman shot himself in leg while trying to escape scene, State would have argued

Summary

The Central Criminal Court heard that James Walsh, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol with intent to endanger life after a shooting at the Church of the Transfiguration in Clondalkin on 26 March 2014. The prosecution argued that Walsh shot himself in the leg while escaping the scene, an act supported by circumstantial evidence including CCTV, ballistic and DNA findings linking a blue Fiat Stilo to the crime scene and to Walsh. Witnesses described a man in black and a Mini Cooper involved in the incident. Walsh was arrested on 5 December 2014 and remanded in custody pending the remainder of his sentence hearing on 14 December. The court noted his prior convictions, including a Firearms Act offence that could impose a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison. The case also involved a nolle prosequi on a separate attempted murder count against Walsh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gunman shot himself in leg while trying to escape scene, State would have argued. Charges or matters: possession of a pistol firearm with intent to endanger life at the Church of the Transfiguration, Bawnogue Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 on March 26, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 26, 2014 Incident
• March 26 Incident
• April 2 Incident
• December 5, 2014 Incident
• December 14 Adjournment
• 2016-12-01 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

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Read the original CNI report