By Tony O’Reilly-
A notorious mob figure ‘Red’ Larry McCarthy(pictured) has pleaded guilty to charges related to providing a vehicle used in the attempted assassination of rival gangster Christy Keane.
The unexpected plea came on the verge of a lengthy trial that had been scheduled to last ten weeks at the Special Criminal Court.
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Keane survived being shot four times during the early morning attack in June 2015, as he arrived for a gym session at the University of Limerick.
Red’ Larry McCarthy (44) is charged with making a vehicle available to a criminal organization in the attempted murder between 27-29 June, that year.
The trial had been due to begin on Monday but opposing counsel agreed to discuss ways to shorten the trial which had been listed to last for 10 weeks, with 101 witnesses due to be called to give evidence.
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Two men have already been sentenced by the court on a similar charge, after they pleaded guilty.
During the summer Noel Price got a six and half year sentence for driving a car from Dublin to Limerick that was later used by the gunmen.
Judge Alexander Owens, during the sentencing, noted that Price had indirectly facilitated criminal activity by driving back to Limerick in convoy with a high-ranking member of the organized crime group.
In June, John Costello, who had pleaded guilty to providing transport to Christy Keane’s attackers, was released without further jail time after initially refusing to pick up two gang members from Ballynanty following the shooting.
At a sentencing during a July hearing, judge Alexander Owens said that the defendant had lent himself to a criminal enterprise by going to Dublin with a very senior member of the organised crime group and then driving back to Limerick in convoy.
“He could but not have known when he headed to Dublin and collected the car that it would be used in criminal activity.”
Miraculous
Keane miraculously survived a brazen attack in June 2015 when he was shot four times while heading for a morning workout at the University of Limerick.
McCarthy had faced accusations of making a vehicle available to a criminal organization involved in the attempted murder between June 27 and June 29 of that year.
As the trial was about to commence, McCarthy’s defense lawyer requested a re-arraignment on the charges, resulting in the shocking guilty plea.
Subsequently, the court agreed to adjourn the case to allow for the preparation of various reports, including a Probation Report.
Remarkably, McCarthy was permitted to remain free on bail as the court proceedings shifted to a High Court session to make several adjustments to his bail conditions.
These alterations included reducing the frequency of his required visits to the local garda station from twice daily to three times a week, and lifting a curfew. McCarthy is scheduled to reappear at the non-jury court in December.
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