Man who had shotgun in a Kildare pub car had it taken from by armed gardaí - claim
Incident happened in the early hours
Armed gardaí called to a man who had a shotgun in a pub car park, it was claimed at Naas District Court.
The court heard that the alleged incident took place close to the Leap Inn in Kilmeague in the early hours of July 23 last.
James McTeague, 33, whose address was given as Allen, Kilmeague, is charged with possessing a firearm, a single barrel breech loading shotgun and assault at Russellstown, Kilmeague.
Detective Garda Christine Brady said the defendant was seen and was believed to be holding a gun.
Armed gardaí were summoned to the scene but the firearm could not be located.
The Armed Support Unit were sent a second time and one of the gardaí disarmed the man by pulling the weapon from him after driving to the scene. Garda Kearney grabbed the shotgun from his hand.
The garda said a man was allegedly pushed after he went to the defendant.
There were no cartridges in the shotgun when it was checked.
The court was also told that the gun was purchased at the market in Athy for €20.
It was also claimed that the defendant believed that people from the pub had gone on his land.
Solicitor David Powderly said the case has a “complicated background” and the defendant believed that the gun was not real.
Mr Powderly said bail conditions had been agreed including that the defendant reside at his address, be available to the gardaí by mobile phone and have no contact with potential witnesses.
He is also not to enter the Leap Inn car park.
The matter was adjourned.