gun charge | 

Dublin man Brad Dempsey (23) allegedly opened fire on group of people in car

Brad Dempsey (23) was charged with possessing a semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Margaret Kennedy Road, Dublin 8

Tom Tuite

Today at 08:14

A MAN, who was metres from a child’s buggy when he allegedly opened fire on a group of people in a car in Dublin, was refused bail yesterday.

Brad Dempsey, 23, of Stannaway Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, appeared before Judge John O’Leary at Dublin District Court yesterday evening in connection with a shooting last year and other offences.

He was charged with possessing a semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Margaret Kennedy Road, Dublin 8, on January 19, 2022, contrary to the Firearms Act.

He also had additional charges for knife possession and violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence with six others at Golden Lane Dublin 8 on August 12, 2021, and possessing cocaine for sale or supply at a residential address in Drimnagh, Dublin 12, on January 15 last year.

Garda Richard Pender told Judge O’Leary that he received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on Wednesday to charge Mr Dempsey.

The court heard that he was arrested and taken to Kevin Street Garda station on Thursdsay and “made no reply to charge after caution”.

Garda Pender objected to bail on the gun charge.

He alleged that Mr Dempsey was brought by taxi to a house at Margaret Kennedy Road that morning.

He claimed the accused ran out of the house to a Ford C-Max carrying four people parked at the front of the property.

The court heard it reversed away while the shooter “discharged five bullets into the car”.

Garda Pender said that “a man was pushing a buggy 10 metres from Brad Dempsey as he ran towards the car”.

The car drove away and was later found in Crumlin “with bullet holes”.

After the shooting, it was alleged the accused returned to the house, but he was then “tracked” on CCTV heading to Lourdes Road in Maryland, Dublin 8. The court heard a bag of clothing was thrown over a wall matched the defendant’s clothes.

According to the garda witness, gun residue on the clothing matched discharged casing from the shooting scene.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Edward Bradbury, the garda agreed Mr Dempsey had been interviewed over two days at Kevin Street garda station last year, and his client made no admissions.

The garda also accepted that the accused had handed over his passport and not sought to have it returned, and he was unaware if he had left the jurisdiction.

The court heard that the shooting was an attempted murder investigation, but the DPP decided against pursuing that line and directed gardai to charge Mr Dempsey with the firearms offences. It can result in imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years on conviction.

The garda had flight risk fears and said bail conditions would not give him comfort.

Arguing that Mr Dempsey should get bail, the solicitor said that his presumed innocent client had not left the State, evaded justice, or taken any warrants, and he was not charged with other offences since the alleged incident.

Mr Bradbury submitted that his client, who is yet to indicate a plea, fit the bill for being granted bail.

Mr Dempsey, supported in court by his mother, wore a green jacket and tracksuit bottoms, runners and a white top for the hearing and did not address the court.

Judge O’Leary believed he would not turn up for trial, refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on August 23 via video link. Further directions from the DPP are to be obtained.

Legal aid was granted.