Man shot himself in the foot with illegal air rifle

A man admitted to accidentally shooting himself in the foot with an illegally-held air rifle when Gardai were carrying out a drugs raid at his home.

On April 17, 2021, Gardai entered the home of Patrick Jackson' at Ashgrove Manor in Killea at 9.10am.

Gardai attended the property with a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act,

During the raid, cannabis and 'other matters' were found, Sergeant Jim Collins told the court.

The total value of the drugs found was €255.

During the search, Gardai also seized an air rifle, which was located beside a chest of drawers in a bedroom.

After caution, Jackson admitted that he owned the air rifle.

Jackson, who is aged 32, told Gardai that he had accidentally shot himself in the foot with a pellet from the same rifle.

Mr Frank Dorrian, representing Jackson, said his client purchased the rifle from another man at a fair.

“The regulations are different on the other side of the border. “It was bought for recreational reasons.”

He said Jackson, who has no previous convictions, was suffering from 'a condition' at the time and was taking cannabis. The court heard that Jackson had a 'series of emotional difficulties' and had been previously homeless in Northern Ireland.

For the possession of cannabis, Judge Cunningham said Jackson could avoid a conviction if he made a €150 contribution to Saint Vincent de Paul. A default order of a conviction and a fine of €200 was imposed.

On a charge contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act, Jackson was convicted and fined €150, with six months to pay.