Two brothers and an uncle sentenced in shooting case

Three men who were charged in connection with a shooting incident which left a six year old girl injured last year, have been sentenced at Limerick court today.

Brothers 27 year old Paul Curtin and 39 year old Christopher Curtin had both pleaded guilty to charges of suspicious possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life at Lilac Court on the 31st of May 2008.

The young girl was injured and two cars were damaged by gunfire when 2 shots were discharged from a car which was driving around the estate. A pellet had ricocheted from one of the cars striking the 6 year old girl in the leg while she played in a front garden nearby.

In court today Chris Curtin, described as an ‘operator of an organised crime gang’ was jailed for 7 years for the possession of a twelve gauge shotgun and 11 rounds of ammunition. Paul Curtin was jailed for 3 years for hiding the weapon at a nearby shed on the same date.

Their uncle, 44 year old Eric Curtin who was the driver of the car, received a suspended sentence.