John Moran who denies all charges against him. (North West Newspix)
A retired Garda has revealed how he thought he was going to be killed when a man pointed a gun at him during a huge fight outside a Donegal pub.
Former Garda John McGrath revealed how he was called to a brawl outside the Orchard Bar in Gleneely on the Ininshowen Peninsula in the early hours of April 5th, 2010.
When Garda McGrath and two colleagues arrived, they found a scene of carnage with up to 20 different people including women fighting with each other.
A number of those fighting had cuts and were bleeding.
As Garda McGrath and his colleagues tried to break up the fighting, a man came towards him and allegedly shouted “I’ll shoot you, I’ll shoot you.”
He identified the man as John Moran who had a large cut to his head and was bleeding heavily.
Businessman Mr Moran appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court yesterday charged with making threats to kill, possession of .22 revolver, possession of ammunition and threatening and abusive behaviour – all of which he denies.
Giving evidence, Garda McGrath said “He (Mr Moran) was very agitated. He said “I’ll shoot you, I’ll shoot you’ – at me and people around me. I was satisfied if the gun was discharged and was so close, one or more of of us would have been mortally injured.
“I was extremely frightened. I called out ‘he’s got a gun, he’s got a gun.’ I withdrew from the line of fire and retreated back to Garda van. I then contacted Buncrana Headquarters and requested assistance.”
Another of the officers, Garda Declan Coyne also revealed he felt threatened when he saw Mr Moran produce the black handgun.
“I ran for my life,” he revealed.
The court was told the row had been very violent with a pregnant woman received bang of a door while another man had his jaw broken.
A number of younger people who got caught up in the row had to take shelter in the bar.
It was revealed in court the gun was actually a ‘starter’s pistol’ which did not require a gun license.
Barrister for Moran, Mr Garnet Orange instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian put it to Garda McGrath that his client was making the threats to a crowd gathered behind him.
Mr Moran, of 160 Serpentine Road, Belfast, has a holiday home in Inishowen.
Barrister Orange also referred to the fight scene saying “”It was like a scene from Game of Thrones but without the swords.”
The case continues today (WED).