Two men who were arrested in Limerick in possession of a loaded handgun are to be sentenced next month.
Liam Keane, aged 24 of Singland Gardens, Ballysimon in Limerick, and 21-year-old Greg Crawford pleaded guilty to possession of a Glock semi-automatic weapon and 13 rounds of ammunition in Limerick on 4 May last.
They were arrested during a major operation mounted by the Emergency Response Unit, who persued them after they failed to stop their vehicle for gardaí.
The gun, which was loaded and ready for immediate use, was found in their car.
At the time of his arrest Liam Keane was wearing latex gloves and Greg Crawford was wearing woollen gloves.
At the Circuirt Court today the prosecution claimed the two were involved in a serious and significant feud that had already claimed a number of lives.
Barrister John O'Sullivan said balistic tests on the gun showed it had been used in a shooting incident two weeks previously in which a man had been shot 14 times.
And while he was not alleging the accused men were involved in that other incident, it was important for Judge Carol Moran to know the history of the gun, as it went to the show the gravity of the case.
Both men have a number of previous convictions.
Judge Carrol Moran adjourned sentencing until January 20.
