A Ballybofey man has appeared in court docket charged with possessing a loaded gun and over 1,100 rounds of ammunition.
Paul McMenamin was earlier than Letterkenny District Courtroom following an incident that noticed two pictures fired at him by a sibling after a dispute arose.
After Gardai obtained a subsequent tip-off, a loaded .22 Smith & Weston handgun was situated in a drawer in McMenamin’s bed room.
The 60-year-old, of Corraffrin, Ballybofey, was charged with illegally possessing the gun. He was additionally charged with illegally possessing 237 rounds of .23 ammunition, 410 rounds of .22 ammunition and 513 assorted shotgun cartridges.
Sergeant Jim Collins instructed the court docket that Garda initially responded to an incident the place pictures have been fired from a shotgun on November 8, 2021.
Against the law scene was arrange and the now-retired Detective Inspector Pat O’Donnell, who was main the investigation on the time obtained data {that a} weapon was being held at a premises.
Throughout a search, a .22 Smith & Weston gun and a cache of ammunition have been discovered. Paul McMenamin was arrested and made admissions. Sergeant Collins instructed the court docket that the defendant was ‘absolutely co-operative’ when spoken to by Gardai.
Barrister for Paul McMenamin, Mr Sean McGee BL instructed by solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian, mentioned a dispute arose between his shopper and a brother over a property, which was the household house, was bequeathed to his brother Seamus McMenamin following the dying of their mom.
Mr McGee mentioned it had been his shopper’s understanding that he could be left the home. Their father died shortly after the home was constructed whereas their mom handed away in 2019.
Mr McGee mentioned the state of affairs ‘got here to a head’ on November 8, 2021. He mentioned Paul McMenamin was in a shed when he was allegedly assaulted by Seamus McMenamin.
Mr McGee instructed the court docket that Paul McMenamin bought a name a short while later advising him that Seamus McMenamin was ‘brandishing a shot gun’.
He subsequently left and went to the house of one other brother, Fergus.
As Paul McMenamin was making his manner from the property two pictures have been discharged. “One, he heard go by his ear and one by his head,” Mr McGee mentioned.
A big Garda staff was deployed, together with the armed response unit. The world was declared a criminal offense scene and Seamus McMenamin surrendered himself at 6pm on November 8, 2021, Mr McGee recalled.
Inspector O’Donnell obtained data {that a} gun was in the home and a day later Paul McMenamin made admissions. A search was carried out and a loaded gun, with a spherical of ammunition within the chamber, was discovered.
“My very own view is that the investigation into the handgun was separate,” Mr McGee mentioned. “It’s not one thing that was found as a part of the investigation into Seamus. It was a full 24 hours later by the point the Inspector spoke to my shopper concerning the handgun. The warmth had firmly gone out of it then.”
Mr McGee mentioned {that a} warrant ought to have been obtained for the handgun and Paul McMenamin wasn’t cautioned when Inspector O’Donnell spoke to him initially. “That will be one other plank within the argument had the matter gone to a listening to,” Mr McGee mentioned. “My shopper has maintained a sure course with out hesitation and that’s to his credit score and provides worth to his plea; he has saved a lot time and expense.”
Ballybofey man caught with loaded gun and 1,100 bullets was final modified: September twenty fifth, 2023 by
