Businessman granted fresh appeal over gun licence revocation after alleged Wicklow shotgun incident
The Wicklow PeopleA Dublin businessman has been granted permission to appeal a previous appeal decision over the revocation of his gun licences, following an alleged incident in which he is accused of producing a shotgun
Brian McDonagh (65), of Walkinstown, Dublin 12, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court for an appeal of an appeal decision after his gun licence was revoked in January 2026.
Judge David Kennedy rejected the accused’s appeal in March 2026. Mr McDonagh had previously been granted several firearms licences, most recently on March 26, 2024, for a Beretta shotgun and a BS4 air rifle.
Superintendent John Fitzgerald opposed the appeal in April 2026, outlining an alleged serious incident that allegedly took place on February 24, 2025.
While on duty at Bray Garda Station, he said gardaí were alerted that the Dublin County Sheriff was attempting to repossess the defendant’s former property at Drummin House in Delgany, County Wicklow.
The court previously heard that the accused allegedly pointed a shotgun at the sheriff and staff as they tried to enter the house.
Supt Fitzgerald said armed gardaí, negotiators, and the Emergency Response Unit were deployed amid fears of a hostage or suicide situation.
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Attempts to contact Mr McDonagh initially failed, but later two firearms were left outside the property and seized by gardaí.
Mr McDonagh then exited the house and was arrested by Detective Brian Higgins.
CCTV footage shown in court included bodycam audio referencing a firearm, as well as video of Mr McDonagh holding a shotgun while moving inside the house.
The accused gave evidence at the previous appeal that he had never been in trouble with gardaí prior to the alleged incident and said he held the firearms as a member of a clay pigeon shooting club.
He is charged with the production of a shotgun during a dispute, unlawful possession of a firearm, and the wilful obstruction of a sheriff.
Solicitor for the accused, Michael O’Connor, remarked that the 14-day appeal period had elapsed, but said he was instructed that Mr McDonagh was unable to appeal due to the “busy Easter period”.
In Irish law, a person usually has 14 days to appeal a court decision, including cases involving firearms under the Firearms Acts 1925–2009.
Judge David Kennedy granted Mr O’Connor’s request and allowed the defendant to appeal the decision of his original appeal.