Air rifle was never used, brandished or taken out of its case, Kildare court told
It was owned by a relative of the defendant, court told
An air rifle (also known as a pellet gun) which had no certificate was found by the gardaí after they had received information, it was stated at a Naas District court sitting.
Before the court was Paul Forde, 51, whose address was given as Station Road, Allenwood Middle, was prosecuted for possessing a firearm without a certificate on March 29, 2024.
Sgt Dave Hanrahan said the firearm was found after gardaí called to an address and the defendant had no firearm-related previous convictions. He said no licence was in place.
Defending solicitor David Powderly said that there was no threat to use the firearm, which discharges pellets which are non-fatal.
He said the rifle was owned by the defendant's nephew, who lives in Cork.
Referring to the rifle Mr Powderly said the defendant ”never used it, brandished it or took it out of its case.”
He said a party in a domestic incident had indicated it was on the premises and it was found by gardaí on a shelf. He said the firearm had no role in the incident.
Mr Powderly described the air rifle as a “historic relic” which was “never used in a threatening way.”
He said the defendant was anxious to avoid a firearms conviction and was willing to make a charitable donation.
He added it was an unfortunate incident adn the item was not a rifle, a shotgun or a handgun.
Judge John Brennan noted the defendant had no previous convictions he could take into account and he struck the matter out after a charitable donation of €300 was handed over.