Gardaí have located a van (UK registration licence plate number CU 16 TZR) which was hijacked yesterday afternoon, in Co. Limerick, in a wooded area near Doon, latter less than two miles from the Co. Tipperary border.
The alarm was raised shortly after the van was hijacked by a gang, travelling in a black BMW Series 1 motor vehicle on the Caherline Road, between Caherconlish and Hospital, at around 3:00pm. It is understood that one of the hijackers was armed with a handgun. The van was then driven in a south-easterly direction, heading for Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. The BMW and hijackers to date remain at large.
The uninjured van-owner, aged in his 30s, had in his possession a sum of cash, belonging to a well-known individual working in the motor trade; together with a cargo of expensive motor parts included catalytic converters.
A major Garda operation remains underway, including helicopter support and Gardaí at Roxboro Road Garda Station are appealing for any motorists who were travelling in the Caherline Road or Doon areas who may have dash-cam footage, to contact them.
Roxboro Road Garda station can be contacted at Tel: (061) 2144340 or via the Garda Confidential Line, Telephone: 1800 666 111.
A Detective Garda, and the Director of a car sales firm, latter which had been targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), will both now face trial on three charges linked to a major investigation into alleged Garda corruption.
Detective Garda Mr David Bourke, aged 48 years, with an address at Oola’s Main Street, in Co. Limerick, has been charged with “corruptly obtaining a monetary gift, consideration or advantage” from one Mr Stephen O’Sullivan, aged 37 years, with an address at Farrehy, Broadford, Co. Limerick.
Detective Inspector Michael McNulty, of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, latter based in Dublin, informed the court that he had arrested Detective Garda David Bourke at8.25am this morning, (Friday September 6th) at a location here in Co. Tipperary. He was then conveyed to Shannon Garda Station in Co. Clare, before being charged with two offences, at 11.20am by Garda Michael Newport.
Detective Sergeant Dave Gilmore, of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, gave evidence of arresting the other accused, Mr Stephen O’Sullivan at 8.57am, this morning, in Broadford, Co Limerick. Mr O’Sullivan was then also conveyed to Shannon Garda Station, where he was charged at 10.30am with one offence by Garda Michael Newport.
The charge indicates that Mr O’Sullivan did allegedly, corruptly, give or agree to give Detective Garda David Bourke “a monetary gift, consideration, or advantage”, in lieu of revealing to him confidential information concerning a CAB investigation into a car sales firm, latter known as Bawn Motors, situated at Ballysimon Road, Limerick, contrary to Sec 7 (2) of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act, of 2018.
The charges made against both individuals are alleged to have occurred on December 22nd 2018 at Bruree, in Co Limerick.
Judge Marian O’Leary granted Detective Sergeant Bourke bail on condition that he sign on twice weekly at Tipperary Town Garda Station, between 6:00am-9:00pm. Mr O’Sullivan was also granted bail on a number of strict conditions, including that he sign on twice weekly at Kanturk Garda Station, in Co. Cork.
Both men must notify Gardaí in writing should they intend to change their perspective addresses.
Judge O’Leary remanded both defendants, to appear before Limerick District Court again on Friday, September 13th, for service of the State’s Book of Evidence, on each of the two accused.
Yesterday, (14/08/2019), a male in his 30’s was arrested by Gardaí after they discovered cannabis herb worth €40,000 and cocaine worth €70,000, in a motor vehicle driven by the accused.
Following a search, the arrest took place on the R503 close to the Limerick border, in the vicinity of Garracummer, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The arrested man remains detained at Tipperary Town Garda Station; held there under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.
Further investigations are continuing into the incident.
Latvian Woman Found Guilty of Manslaughter of Lithuanian Native.
A mother-of-two who claimed her violent, alcoholic boyfriend had constantly made her life a living hell, has been jailed for four years, having been cleared of murder, but found guilty of his manslaughter, at ‘The Malthouse’, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, on November 20th, 2016 last.
At the Central Criminal Court today, Mr Justice Alexander Owens said the mother-of-two, Ms Inga Ozolina, aged 48 and originally from Latvia, regretted that her former partner, Mr Audrius Pukas a Lithuanian native aged 40, had died but she failed to accept total responsibility for his death.
Mr Justice Owens stated that it was indeed pertinent that the accused woman had been previously beaten and treated roughly, however Ms Ozolina had herself lost her self-control on the night, resulting in the death of Mr Pukas, following a stab wound administered to his chest area.
Ms Ozolina’s defence team had, during the trial in late May last, submitted that she was possibly under deadly attack at the time and had already previously obtained two safety orders against him; same which had both lapsed at the time of his death.
Ms Ozolina had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Pukas on November 20th, 2016 last.
L-R: Chief Supt. Catherine Kehoe (Retired) and new Chief Supt. Derek Smart (Appointed).
Following the retirement of Chief Superintendent Mrs Catherine Kehoe; Limerick native Chief Supt. Mr Derek Smart has now been assigned to the Tipperary Garda Division and will be based here in Thurles, once he takes up his new Garda post.
Currently attached to the Henry Street Station in Limerick city, Supt. Smart had been formally named on the Garda promotion panel, following an internal competition, which concluded last year.
The Chief Superintendent has, to-date, spent most of his career based in Co. Limerick, but has also served in Co. Clare and Co. Cork, before now being appointed to the Tipperary Division.
Having overseen a number of high-profile investigations previously in Limerick, latter regarded as one of Ireland’s busiest Garda Districts; Chief Supt. Smart is being viewed as a most worthy replacement for the post made vacant by Chief Superintendent Kehoe’s much regretted retirement.
We wish Mrs Catherine Kehoe, every good wish in her retirement and welcome new Chief Superintendent Derek Smart to Thurles.
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