Discharged shotgun during dispute

A MAN who discharged a shotgun at his doorstep following a dispute has been given the chance to avoid a conviction by making a donation to St Vincent de Paul.

The father of three from Gorey was charged with discharging a firearm, reckless as to whether anyone would be injured at his address on February 14 of last year.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case, Judge John Cheatle ordered that the identities of the parties involved not be reported.

The court heard that on the day in question, the injured parties, a couple, arrived at the doorstep of the defendant. A heated exchange followed and the defendant fired a single shot into the air from his fully licenced firearm.

The firearm was later confiscated by gardaí and the defendant’s firearm licence revoked. The defendant’s solicitor said that one shot had been fired into the air and there was never any question of anyone being hurt. He said his client was of excellent char- acter generally, never having come to garda attention before or since.

An apology was offered on behalf of the defendant to the court and the solicitor said that he has completely resolved his differences with the couple and that they didn’t wish for him to be punished for his actions.

Judge John Cheatle agreed to give the defendant the benefit of the Probation Act provided he make a donation of €250 to St Vincent de Paul. The case was adjourned until April 4.