A jury for the trial of nine men allegedly involved in a pitched battle outside a family restaurant was sworn in at Limerick Circuit Court earlier today.
More than 600 people were called for jury service before the jury was empanelled. According to legal sources this was a record number of summonses in this country to get 12 people to form a jury.
Patrick McCarthy (21), of College Avenue, Moyross, Kieran Ryan (20), of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, David McCarthy, (26) of O'Callaghan Avenue, Kileely, Declan Sheehy (37) of St Brendan's Street, St Mary's Park, Ray Collopy (21), of St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, Edward McCarthy (23), of O'Callaghan Avenue, Kileely, David Sheehan (19), of Cliona Park, Moyross, Philip Collopy (23), of St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, and Anthony Keane (41), of St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, have all denied a charge of violent disorder on May 27th, 2003 at the carpark of Supermacs on the Ennis Road, Limerick.
Four of the accused - Declan Sheehy, Ray Collopy, Philip Collopy and Anthony Keane — have also denied a charge of possession of items including a golf club, sticks and a steering lock with intent to cause injury on the same date.
The jury of eight men and four women was empanelled before Judge Carroll Moran at Limerick Circuit Court. The trial is expected to last for up to two weeks.