Courts / Dublin / Report
Father fired shotgun into neighbour's house after fight with brother
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Beacom, aged 34, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for discharging a shotgun into the bedroom of his neighbour, Patricia Weldon, after a dispute with his brother over childcare. The incident occurred on 3 April 2016 at Kilmahuddrick Lawn, Clondalkin, when Beacom, enraged that his children had witnessed a fight with his brother, returned to Weldon's home with a shotgun and fired through a bedroom window. The shot shattered glass and caused Weldon to seek refuge in her bathroom, where she called the Gardaí. Beacom had previously pleaded guilty to the offence and had 36 prior convictions, including six threats to kill. The court noted his history of alcohol misuse but also his participation in a residential treatment programme at Chuain Mhuire, and imposed a five‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Father fired shotgun into neighbour's house after fight with brother. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 3, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-07-27 Publication
Why: Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that three of the neighbour's grandchildren were present when Joseph Beacom (34) threw an object at her door and smashed up her car because his brother had fled into her home. Court evidence reported by CNI
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