17/02/2010

Attempted Murder Charges For US Shooting

A former prison guard now working as an armed US security man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of two Irishmen and two of assault with a deadly weapon.

Michael Iavecchio, 54, was first charged with a less serious second degree assault.

Iavecchio is believed to have told police he was attacked by at least one of the two Irishmen, whom he claimed to have escorted out of the premises because they were smoking.

Justin Donaghy and Gerard Hourigan, both 29, remain in hospital after being seriously injured in the shooting outside a bowling alley in Queens in New York more than a week ago.

But after reviewing footage from cameras at the AMF bowling alley and talking to witnesses, police and prosecutors decided to dramatically increase the seriousness of the charges.

It means prosecutors believe he was not provoked or acting in self defence when he pulled his .380 Rutger handgun in the early hours of Saturday, February 6.

And he shot to kill, prosecutors will argue.

Iavecchio, who is out on $25,000 cash bail, has been issued with two orders to not go near the two men and ordered to hand over all his weapons. He is due in court again on Friday.

Mr Donaghy, from Navan, Co Meath, was shot in his right side. He could be released from hospital within the next few days.

Limerick native Mr Hourigan, was shot in the stomach. He is in a more serious condition.

The two victims have been charged with menacing and harassment. They have been told to appear in court at the end of March.

(BMcC/GK)

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