Malin man charged over having shotgun and iron bar appears in court

A Malin Head man has pleaded guilty to having a shotgun without a licence and with producing an iron bar.

John Vincent Gallagher tendered guilty pleas when he appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court.

A 58-year-old, with an address at Ballyhillion, Malin Head, Gallagher spoke only to say “guilty” when he was formally arraigned before Judge John Aylmer.

Gallagher was charged with possession of a firearm, a single barrel shotgun, without a firearms certificate, contrary to section 2 of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended by section 15 of the Firearms Act, 1964 and section 3 of the Firearms Act, 1971.

This related to an incident at Ballyhillion, Ardmallin, Malin Head, on June 28, 2023.

Gallagher was also charged with the production of an article, namely an iron bar, capable of inflicting serious injury. The charge, contrary to section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, related to an incident at Westtown, Ardmallin, Malin Head, on June 21, 2023.

Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, told the court that the guilty pleas met the case on a full facts basis.

Gallagher was represented by barrister Mr Damien Crawford BL, instructed by PA Dorrian & Company.

Mr Crawford asked that the matter be adjourned for sentencing and Judge Aylmer agreed.

Gallagher was remanded on continuing bail until the next term of Letterkenny Circuit Court.