A man accused of hiring a hitman to shoot dead a Limerick doorman was today refused bail on the grounds he may leave the country or pose a threat to witnesses expected to testify against him.
Anthony Kelly (49), of Cragg House, Kilrush in Co Clare, has been charged with the murder of Brian Fitzgerald in the city four years ago.
Gardaí have strongly opposed his release on bail, claiming that he has considered using a rocket launcher to "blow up" the transport of one key witness.
Mr Fitzgerald (34), was head of security at Doc's nightclub when he was shot dead outside his home at Brookhaven Walk, Corbally on November 29th, 2002. Gardaí believe Mr Kelly and an associate recruited James Cahill and another man to carry out the killing.
Cahill, who has admitted his involvement, is serving life imprisonment at a secure location and has vowed to give evidence against the accused.
A second gang member - Philip Deane, from Birmingham, England - is on the witness protection programme over fears for his safety after giving gardaí a substantial amount of information over the doorman's murder.
Objecting to the bail application, Detective Sergeant Noonan said he feared Mr Kelly would abscond or try to make sure Cahill and his former gang member do not give evidence against him.
Det Sgt Nolan told the court Mr Kelly has connections in the UK, across Europe and in Morocco and China, which have no extradition agreement with Ireland.
He also said the accused, a separated father of three who has a new partner, had tried to sell his home and that his furniture firms are a cover for one of the country's biggest drugs importers.
Mr Kelly's sister has offered a €75,000 bond to secure his bail. "I would object to €75 million," replied Det Sgt Nolan. "He drives a car which is worth in excess of €100,000 and has substantial interest in Morocco, Europe and China. I believe he is closely linked with criminals in this area.
"I believe if Mr Kelly is granted bail, he will not appear for his trial," continued DS Nolan. "I believe there is a substantial and real risk witnesses will be murdered, even within the confines of prison.
"From speaking to Mr Cahill himself, he clearly outlines the efforts made previously to assassinate Mr Deane to and from prison.
"Consideration was given to using a rocket launcher to blow up the transport used," he added.
Deane, had previously admitted being a drug and gun mule for Mr Kelly and his gang, and has served a prison sentence for possession of firearms.
Anthony Salmon, senior counsel for Mr Kelly, said his client had left the jurisdiction numerous times since his first arrest in May and had returned each time without fail.
He also argued that, according to the garda, around half a dozen people could be making threats on Cahill's life and that his client had initially volunteered himself for questioning to gardaí shortly after Mr Fitzgerald's killing.
Gardaí plan to present Mr Kelly with the Book of Evidence in three weeks, and hold his trial within the next nine months.