Courts / Dublin / Report
Dad-of-three walked into local with shotgun after drinking bottle of whiskey
Summary
Mark Clarke, a 50‑year‑old father of three from Kenure Park, Rush, was arrested after walking into Martin's Bar carrying a decommissioned pump‑action shotgun and a belt of shotgun cartridges. He had previously held a licence for the gun until 2010, after which he surrendered it and it was rendered inoperable. Clarke admitted to possessing the firearm, 13 live and blank cartridges at his home and in the bar on 15 February 2019. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted that no one was threatened, that Clarke's behaviour was out of character, and that family pressures and financial stress were contributing factors. He was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions, including 12 months' engagement with the Probation Service to address alcohol use. The case was defended as a non‑pre‑meditated, non‑criminal‑intent incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dad-of-three walked into local with shotgun after drinking bottle of whiskey. Charges or matters: possession of the firearm, 13 shotgun cartridges and blank shotgun cartridges at his home and in Martin's Bar on February 15, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 15, 2019 Incident
- 2020-11-17 Publication
Why: Mark Clarke (50) later told gardaí that he had no recollection of the evening because he had just drank a bottle of whiskey. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the firearm, 13 shotgun cartridges and blank shotgun cartridges at his home and in Martin's Bar on February 15, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced him to three and half years in prison, which she suspended in full on strict conditions, including that he engage with the Probation Service for 12 months to "ensure there is no issue with alcohol".
Places mentioned
- Kenure Park
- Rush
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- be interviewed at the garda station
Topics
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