THREE IRISHMEN IN OZ COURT AFTER EX COP SHOT WITH OWN GUN
Accused claim self defence as business row ended in violence
THREE Irishmen shot a former police officer with his own gun after he intervened in a business dispute between them and one of his friends, an Australian court heard yesterday.
Mark Dixon, 32, Stephen Tahaney, 31, and 28-year-old Jack Harvey are accused of the attempted murder of ex-cop Said “Sid” Morgan after threats were allegedly exchanged.
Tahaney admitted he pulled the trigger, claiming it was in self-defence.
Dixon and Harvey deny allegations they had been party to an agreement to harm Morgan, knowing it was probable he would be killed.
Victoria’s Supreme Court heard yesterday how Morgan, who was booted off the force after shooting dead his paedophile brother-in-law, became involved in the row after being contacted by his friend Daniel Saddik.
Saddik had run a property maintenance business with Stephen Tahaney but there was a falling out over money.
In response, Saddik allegedly pleaded with Morgan for help.
The court heard Saddik said: “I need you here to help me, protect my family, they’re threatening to kill me.”
In response, it was claimed Morgan told him: “You tell that c*** if he comes within a kilometre of your house, he’ll end up with a bullet in his head.”
The court heard Morgan and Tahaney exchanged messages, with the ex-cop referring to his brother-in-law’s killing: “It gets easier second time round.” On February 24, 2019, Tahaney asked to meet Morgan, who allegedly told him: “You come to Dan’s house and bring whatever and whoever you want. Word of advice though, if you bring someone – tell them to kiss their family goodbye.”
The jury heard Morgan then sat in a chair in his friend’s driveway with a black bag and told Saddik’s wife “there’s going to be a bloodbath tonight”.
The prosecution says a witness saw one of the men hitting Morgan with a hammer while another saw two males punching and kicking another man.
It was also claimed a witness saw one of the men go back to the car, point a gun out the window and fire a single shot, which struck Morgan in the head.
The three accused were later seen on security footage at a service station buying bin bags, bleach and toilet paper,
the court heard. Yesterday the lawyer for one of the Irishmen told the court the shooting was an act of self-defence.
Barrister Julie Condon QC, for Tahaney, accepted her client had shot Morgan with his own gun.
However, she said: “He did so with a lawful excuse and that lawful excuse was self-defence.”
Ms Condon described the former detective as “a person who used violence to resolve conflict” and said it was “ingrained in his DNA”.
Geoffrey Steward QC, for Mark Dixon, told the court Mr Morgan’s “white hot” rage had been “stoked” by his friend.
He added: “An issue in this trial is what Sid Morgan was capable of doing when in such a state.
“The last time he’d been in such a rage was when he killed a man.”
However, prosecutors will be unable to call upon the victim to give evidence – as he has no memory of the incident due to his severe head injuries.
Crown prosecutor Patrick Bourke QC told the jury: “He’s got nothing to say about it. Complete blank.”