Kildare man prosecuted for possessing fireworks has case struck out
'The pandemic brought with it strange times' says judge
A man found in possession of fireworks was prosecuted at Naas District Court.
Before the court was Patrick Berry, 28, whose address was given as 4 Michael Aylmer House, Fenton Green, Kilcock.
Sgt Mary Meade said the fireworks, worth €1,947, were found and seized during a search at that address on October 2, 2022.
The court was further told that a Samsung phone was also seized and found to contain evidence of the sale and supply of fireworks.
The defendant had no previous convictions.
Solicitor David Powderly told the court that the incident took place during the Covid-19 pandemic and the defendant was out of work at the time.
He said he bought the fireworks in Newry where it is legal to do so.
Mr Powderly said the fireworks were freely available there and they were for friends and neighbours.
He added that it was not a big money making enterprise and his friends had given him money to buy them.
He said the defendant was very apologetic and he was keen to avoid a conviction.
He added that he had brought a charitable donation to court.
Judge John Brennan commented that the pandemic brought with it strange times and noted that the defendant was not working at that time. The judge described the case as very much a once off incident.
He accepted the donation of €300 and struck out the case.
He also ordered that the fireworks be destroyed.