Ballybofey man caught with loaded gun and 1,100 bullets

A Ballybofey man has appeared in courtroom 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 advised the courtroom that Garda initially responded to an incident the place pictures had 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 info {that a} weapon was being held at a premises.

Throughout a search, a .22 Smith & Weston gun and a cache of ammunition had been discovered. Paul McMenamin was arrested and made admissions. Sergeant Collins advised the courtroom 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, stated a dispute arose between his consumer and a brother over a property, which was the household house, was bequeathed to his brother Seamus McMenamin following the demise of their mom.

Mr McGee stated it had been his consumer’s understanding that he can be left the home. Their father died shortly after the home was constructed whereas their mom handed away in 2019.

Mr McGee stated the state of affairs ‘got here to a head’ on November 8, 2021. He stated Paul McMenamin was in a shed when he was allegedly assaulted by Seamus McMenamin.

Mr McGee advised the courtroom that Paul McMenamin acquired 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 approach from the property two pictures had been discharged. “One, he heard go by his ear and one by his head,” Mr McGee stated.

A big Garda staff was deployed, together with the armed response unit. The realm was declared a criminal offense scene and Seamus McMenamin surrendered himself at 6pm on November 8, 2021, Mr McGee recalled.

Inspector O’Donnell obtained info {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 stated. “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 consumer concerning the handgun. The warmth had firmly gone out of it then.”

Mr McGee stated {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 stated. “My consumer 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 Workers Author