A Dublin man yesterday pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a Sinn Fein representative at a First Holy Communion service in Ballymun last year.
In the Central Criminal Court, Peter McCann (32), from Balcurris Road, Ballymun, pleaded guilty when he was arraigned on the charge that on May 16th, 1998, at St Joseph's Church, Balcurris, he shot a firearm at Mr Larry O'Toole snr with intent to commit murder.
McCann's plea was accepted by counsel for the DPP and the case was adjourned for sentencing on April 16th.
Mr Justice Carney directed that victim impact reports be prepared on Mr Larry O'Toole snr and his son, Mr Larry (Lar) O'Toole jnr, who was also shot by McCann. He also ordered that a probation report be prepared and granted a request from defence counsel, Mr Patrick McCarthy SC, for a urine analysis report on McCann to be made available to the court.
McCann walked into a Mass at the Catholic church in Ballymun on Saturday, May 16th, last year and shot the Sinn Fein representative for Dublin North-East in the back. Mr O'Toole was attending the First Holy Communion of his granddaughter, Laura (8). His grandson, Gavin (10), was singing in the church choir.
After shooting Mr O'Toole, McCann fired between three and five shots in the air, causing panic in the church. He was chased from the church by Mr O'Toole jnr, who was himself shot by McCann, receiving wounds to the chest and head.
McCann has already pleaded guilty to six other counts in relation to the shootings. On December 11th, he pleaded guilty to possessing a .22 Beretta automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life and to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr O'Toole snr in the church on May 16th.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of the gun and ammunition with intent to endanger life at Cromlech Court, Poppintree, Ballymun, and to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr O'Toole jnr at Cromlech Court on May 16th. McCann also pleaded guilty to obstructing a clergyman officiating at a religious ceremony by shooting a firearm at Mr O'Toole snr and his son in St Joseph's Church.