Waterford District Court told man did not know he could not carry BB gun in public
Gardaí identified the defendant from CCTV and searched his home.
A man carrying an airgun in public was not aware it was an offence to do so, Waterford District Court has heard.
Conor Higgins (27), of 10 Emmet Place, Waterford city, pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic firearm in a public place on May 22, 2024.
Judge John Cheatle did not impose a penalty on the defendant but Sergeant John Phelan told the court that the defendant should not buy another and carry it around in public.
“The issue is that someone sees it and it looks real. It’s frightening,” said Sgt Phelan.
The court heard that gardaí received a report from a member of the public of a man walking around Summerhill Terrace with a suspected handgun.
Gardaí identified the defendant from CCTV and searched his home.
During the search, the defendant handed over a BB gun.
Ballistics analysis showed that the article was a 6mm realistic airgun.
The court was told that the defendant had nine previous convictions.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court that the gun had been purchased locally for €70.
It was for this reason, he said, his client was surprised that the gardaí came to his home.
He was unaware that, as he did not require a licence to possess the item he used to shoot cans, he could not carry it in public.
He cooperated fully with the gardaí.
However, Mr Cunningham acknowledged that the person who made the report had no way of knowing it wasn’t a real gun.
He told Judge Cheatle that his client did not threaten anyone with the airgun and there was “no suggestion of violence”.
Judge Cheatle took the charge into consideration with the defendant’s most recent conviction.
The judge also made a destruction order for the airgun.
The defendant was also charged with possession of drugs for personal use in the amount of €90, which was also taken into consideration.
