Man (33) charged with attempted murder of man in Co Clare

Gordon Deegan

A Dublin man appeared in court on Friday, charged with the attempted murder of Daniel Harty in the Co Clare town of Sixmilebridge six years ago.

At Ennis District Court, Kieran Hogg (33) of Donnycarney Rd, Donnycarney, Dublin 3 was charged with attempting to murder Daniel Harty at Pound Street, Sixmilebridge on January 18th 2020, contrary to Common Law.

Mr Hogg is also charged with intentionally or recklessly discharging a firearm with the intention of murdering Daniel Harty, who was aged 21 at the time, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997.

In court on Friday, Det Garda Aoife O’Malley of Ennis Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said that Mr Hogg made no reply when charged.

Det Garda O’Malley said that directions have been received for the DPP for the case to go forward to the Central Criminal Court.

Det Garda O’Malley said that four weeks would be required for the preparation of a Book of Evidence in the case.

In court, Judge Alec Gabbett said that, as the case involved an attempted murder charge, he could not decide on any bail application and that could be made before the High Court.

Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor John Casey to represent the accused.

Mr Casey said that Mr Hogg is currently in protective custody at Cloverhill prison on remand and asked that Mr Hogg not be remanded in custody to Limerick prison.

He said: “Limerick prison would not be a suitable place for him.”

Judge Gabbett said that the prison officers would be aware of this and would be able to transfer Mr Hogg onwards from Limerick prison to Cloverhill prison if required.

Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Hogg in custody to appear via video link from prison at Ennis District Court next Wednesday, February 11th.

At the Central Criminal Court in October 2023, Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a 17-year prison term on Tony McInerney (31), formerly of Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare, for the attempted murder of Daniel Harty at Pound St, Sixmilebridge on January 18th, 2020.

McInerney also pleaded guilty that on January 18th, 2020, at Pound Street, Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, he intentionally or recklessly discharged a firear,m creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

In the alleged attempted murder, Mr Harty suffered three gunshot wounds in the attack, one each to the abdomen, back and arm. He lost the full use of his left arm and had to use a colostomy bag for nine months.