Convicted killer cleared of firearms charge in Limerick

A convicted killer and rapist has been found not guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Ian Horgan (31), who is originally from Cork but who has an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, denied the charge.

Sean Finnan (27), suffered pellet wounds to his stomach after he was shot at outside his home on Byrne Avenue, Prospect, Limerick in December 2013.

After a five day trial at Limerick Circuit Court a jury of six men and six men acquitted Mr Horgan of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Byrne Avenue Prospect, Limerick on December 12th, 2013.

The case arose after Sean Finnan, then aged 26, was shot and wounded as he stood at the front door of the house he shared with his then partner, Leanne Casey.

In her evidence, Ms Casey described how shotgun pellets struck the car seat in which her four week old baby was sitting.

She said that she saw Mr Horgan fire the shotgun after a scarf covering his face fell down.

Mr Horgan denied involvement in the shooting of Mr Finnan, whom he did not know.

He claimed firearm residue found on his right hand came from using a shotgun some days previously when he met a farmer friend in Cork and he went to a rural area where he fired shots at trees.

In November 2002, Horgan was convicted of the murder and rape of Rachel Kiely (22), at the Regional Park, Ballincollig, Cork on October 26th, 2000.

The Court of Appeal in 2004 overturned the verdict as being unsafe.

At a retrial, he was convicted of manslaughter and rape and jailed for 12 years.