John Dundon has been convicted of the murder of Shane Geoghegan.
The 31 year old of Hyde Road, Limerick has been jailed for life for ordering the killing that led to the 28 year old – who worked in Aer Atlanta in Shannon – being gunned down in November 2008.
The three judges at the Special Criminal Court found the evidence against him to be overwhelming and the three prosecution witnesses to be credible, truthful and reliable.
Dundon was in the dock listening to music on headphones as the verdict was read out at the Non Jury court.
Shane Geoghegan’s family opted not to give victim impact statement, believing the facts of the case speak for themselves.
Speaking afterwards John Dundon’s solicitor John Devane said that his client maintains his innocence and will seek to appeal.
Fianna Fail TD for Limerick Willie O’Dea says he hopes the verdict today brings some comfort to the Geoghegan family who he says have suffered ‘unimaginable trauma’ over the last 5 years.
And he says Limerick is now a safer place.
"Limerick is a safer place because of the success of the gardaí generally in taking on gangland crime" he said.
"It’s a little-known fact – and I’ve congratulated the gardaí before in Limerick, but there’s no harm in the repetition – the gardaí in Limerick are probably one of the most successful garda units in the world in relation to clearing up serious crime of this type" he added.
The Limerick Leader newspaper has been running a tribute page in Shane Geoghegan’s memory since the Garryowen player was murdered.
It has had almost 1 million visitors since 2008. Editor of the Limerick Leader is Alan English.
"I think there’s a great sense of relief that we’ve had the verdict that everybody in Limerick was hoping to get" he said.
"I don’t think there’s been any doubt amongst the people of Limerick that John Dundon ordered and orchestrated this killing – so I think there’s satisfaction that justice has been done" he added.
