A champion weight-lifter, who is charged in connection with a shooting in the city last April which resulted in another man losing part of his hand, was refused bail and was remanded in continuing custody at the holiday sittings of Galway District Court this week.
Anthony McDonagh (42 ) of 37 Tulach Ard, Circular Road, Galway, faces two charges of having a sawn-off shotgun and a shotgun cartridge in his possession with intent to endanger life at Whitestrand Road, Salthill, Galway, on April 18 last. He is further charged with intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Martin Ward on the same date.
McDonagh was refused bail by the District Court in April and a subsequent bail application to the High Court was also unsuccessful.
Detective Garda Tony Reidy objected to a fresh bail application made by McDonagh at this week’s court.
In making his bail application, McDonagh gave evidence that he was one of the best weightlifters in the world and he was willing to “pay down big money in cash” to secure his own bail. “I represented this country and brought home gold a few times for this country,” he added.
Judge Eamon O’Brien refused bail and he remanded McDonagh in custody to appear before the court again next Tuesday, August 12, for service of a book of evidence.
Martin Ward (21 ) of Corrach Buí, Rahoon, Galway, lost his thumb and a finger while a number of pellets also lodged in his abdomen after he was shot at point blank range on April 18 last.
