Courts / Dublin / Report
Grandad busted for drugs after accidentally shooting himself in leg
Summary
James Byrne, 45, of Ballymun, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply and to recklessly discharging a firearm at his neighbour's address on 9 December 2017. Gardaí were called after Byrne reported a gunshot wound to his leg. He admitted he had shot himself accidentally while attempting to hide a gun he had bought that day, intending to kill himself. The gun discharged when he was holding the trigger, injuring his leg. A search of his home uncovered a semi‑automatic Makarov pistol in a garden shed and cannabis resin worth €18,000, which Byrne claimed he held to pay a drug debt. He had prior convictions for drug possession, burglary and traffic offences. The judge, citing Byrne's guilty plea, cooperation and family responsibilities, imposed an 18‑month custodial sentence for the drug charge, noting that a suspended sentence would have been appropriate if only the firearms offence had been considered.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Grandad busted for drugs after accidentally shooting himself in leg. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply at his address and recklessly discharging a firearm at his next door neighbour's address on December 9, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 9, 2017 Incident
- 2019-12-20 Publication
Why: Byrne told gardaí that he was holding the drugs in order to pay off a drug debt. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possession of drugs for sale or supply at his address and recklessly discharging a firearm at his next door neighbour's address on December 9, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said if the case had simply been the firearms charge alone, then he would have imposed a suspended sentence as it arose from an act of desperation on the defendant's part. However, Judge Nolan noted Byrne "knew right from wrong" and deserved a custodial sentence in relation to the drugs charge.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Pieta House
Topics
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