A Dublin man told a jury in the Central Criminal Court yesterday that a masked gunman fired two shots at him at point blank range after his car was rammed by a red BMW. Mr John Alford told the jury his then pregnant girlfriend was shot and injured in the attack.
It was the opening day of the trial of Mr Paul Rowley (28), Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot, Dublin, who denies the attempted murder of Mr John Alford and Ms Violet Power Blackburn on December 11th, 1996, at Ballyfermot Drive, Dublin. Mr Rowley also denies charges of possession of a .45 calibre handgun and ammunition for an unlawful purpose and with intent to endanger life.
Mr Michael Counihan SC, prosecuting, claimed Mr Rowley was the driver of the BMW car used in the attack.
Mr Alford, Ballyfermot Drive, Dublin, said at around 9.30 p.m. on December 11th, 1996 a red BMW accelerated towards him and rammed the car.
"It hit the side of the Polo and I drove off and it followed me up Ballyfermot Parade. It kept ramming me from the back and I heard a few shots," Mr Alford said.
The trial continues today.