A witness to murder in a Limerick pub saw the victim being targetted by a gunman, the Central Criminal Court heard today.
The claim was made during the trial of Mr Paul Coffey who is accused of driving the getaway car for two gunmen who entered the Moose Bar and killed Mr Eddie Ryan (41) of Hogan Avenue, Kileely, Limerick.
Mr Coffey (26), whose last address was at Craeval Park, Moyross, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryan, on November 12th 2000. The accused is originally from Derryfada, Clonlara, Co Clare.
The jury were today told that shortly before 10 p.m. on the night of the murder, two men wearing dark clothes burst into the Moose Bar and discharged several rounds of ammunition in the direction of the victim.
Ms Linda Garvey, who was drinking in the pub at the time, said she saw one of the gunmen aiming at Mr Ryan and agreed with prosecution counsel that she saw flashes coming from the weapon.
Mr Ryan died of multiple gunshot wounds after being shot 11 times.
Mrs Mary Reddin and her daughter Deirdre, who were drinking in the pub, were shot and injured during the attack. Witnesses said there was "sheer pandemonium" when the shooting began.
Another customer, Mr Pat Crawford, has told the trial that the gunmen appeared to know where their victim was sitting.
"When they came through the door, they pointed their guns in his direction and they began to shoot", he said.
Witnesses whose evidence was uncontested by the defence said more shots were fired as the gunmen left the scene, a number of them from the front passenger seat of the getaway car through the pub's windows.
A ballistics officer, Det Sgt William Brennan gave evidence that at least seven shots were fired at the pub's facade.
The prosecution claim Mr Coffey aided the gunmen by acting as getaway driver and therefore, as a participant, is guilty of murder.
The jury were then dismissed to allow for legal argument. Mr Justice Abbott asked them to return tomorrow week.