The trial of a Gort man , involved in a 21 hour siege with Gardaí, has heard how he didn’t care if they shot and killed him because he was afraid that he wouldn’t survive a long prison sentence
42 year old Anthony Burke has admitted his intent to damage property when he fired shots from his home during the Crowe Street Siege in October 2006, but has denied he intended to endanger lives, as his trial continues at Galway Circuit Court.
The trial of a Gort man , involved in a 21 hour siege with Gardaí, has heard how he didn’t care if they shot and killed him because he was afraid that he wouldn’t survive a long prison sentence
42 year old Anthony Burke has admitted his intent to damage property when he fired shots from his home during the Crowe Street Siege in October 2006, but has denied he intended to endanger lives, as his trial continues at Galway Circuit Court.
The court has heard evidence of how Mr Burke was arrested two weeks after the siege ended when he was released from hospital.
Detective Sergeant Colm O’Malley told the jury that Anthony Burke admitted during interview to recklessly firing 48 rounds of ammunition during the siege but he denied he did so to endanger life.
Garda O’Malley said he asked Burke during a second interview if he wanted to die that evening to which he replied that he knew he could be facing jail and therefore just wanted the Gardaí to kill him that evening
When asked why he began the siege and started firing the gun out the window in the first place, the 42 year old said he couldn’t explain that but, that it was like something snapped inside him.
He added Mr Burke said that he knew there were a lot of armed Gardaí surrounding the house and that he had to go out or else they would come in and get him
Mr. Burke, denies having two shotguns and 1400 shotgun cartridges in his possession with intent to endanger life at his home
The case continues today when it is expected Anthony Burke will go into the witness box himself.
