Gun residue on man charged with shooting soccer star’s cousin

Firearms residue found on a man charged in connection with a Limerick shooting was similar to residue found on the t-shirt of the man who was shot in the stomach, a jury has heard.

The forensic evidence was heard in the trial of a 31-year-old man who is on trial in connection with the shooting of a cousin of former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool footballer, Steve Finnan, in Limerick.

Seán Finnan suffered pellet wounds to his stomach following an alleged shooting at his home in Byrne Avenue Prospect on December 12th, 2013.

Ian Horgan with an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

A four-week-old baby and two-year-old child were in the house with Mr Finnan’s former partner, Leanne Casey, when he was shot at the front door while smoking a cigarette, the jury has heard.

In her evidence at Limerick Circuit Court, Ms Casey said three shotgun pellets struck the headrest of the car seat in which her baby daughter had been sitting.

Forensic scientist Dr Tom Hannigan told the court he conducted tests on firearms residue collected from the hands, face and clothing of Mr Horgan in the aftermath of the shooting.

Tests were also conducted on a bloody t-shirt owned by Mr Finnan.

Dr Hannigan said the particles from Mr Horgan were similar to those found on the t-shirt, however he added that this type of residue could be produced by other combinations of firearms.

He agreed with defence counsel Brian McInerney the particles were not an exact match and also accepted that residue could be found on transfer basis if somebody was cleaning a firearm.

The doctor concluded there was strong support for the suggestion that Mr Horgan was the person that shot at Mr Finnan rather than anyone else.

The jury also heard that 23 shotgun pellets were removed from Mr Finnan’s stomach at the Emergency Department at the then Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle and then disposed of.

The trial continues.