Longford District Court: Gun licence issue resolved

A defendant who failed to keep up licences on a number of antique guns following a family tragedy was given the benefit of the probation act at Longford District Court.

An application to overturn a decision to revoke a number of firearms certificates, or gun licences, was withdrawn.

Appellant Charles McCord (61) of Knockanboy withdrew his application to Longford District Court regarding a decision by the responding Superintendent of An Garda Síochána to revoke firearms certificates in respect of a Marlin bolt action rifle, and two French double barrel shotguns.

Mr McCord's application was moved by solicitor Paddy Groarke.

Judge Bernadette Owens was told there were 11 charges against the defendant including: possession of components of a firearm, possession of shotguns and rifles and possession of two deactivated revolvers.

Inspector David Jordan said an agreement had been reached with the defendant that 10 antique guns would be given to a registered firearms dealer who will hold them until the Garda armourer certified that the weapons are obsolete.

The inspector said EU legislation meant a certificate that confirmed the weapon is disabled must be issued through the popper channel.

Outlining details of the matter Sergeant Mark Mahon said on Friday, October 15, 2021 at 7:00pm a search of the defendant's home found 12 firearms, an air rifle and three deactivated components of guns.

Sgt Mahon said there was nothing sinister about the possession, stating to the court the defendant is a “firearms enthusiast” and that Mr McCord co-operated fully at all times. The Sergeant said the defendant had no previous convictions.

Mr Groarke said the case against his client was “an unusual one”. The solicitor told the court at the time of the seizure the items were in a cabinet for display purposes.

Mr Groarke said the family had experienced a tragedy the previous year and his client “took his eye off the ball” in relation to his obligations to keeping his firearms licence.

“A weight of trauma descended on the household, as a consequence he did not do what he had been doing up to that point. He has now fully regularised his position,” Mr Groarke told the judge.

Noting the matter has been before the court “for some time” and an agreement had been reached in respect of the status of the firearms Judge Owens said she could give Mr McCord credit for not having any previous convictions and would deal with the matter under the probation act.