Courts / Kerry / Report

Jail for man who fired shotgun at partner's car

Summary

Joseph Smith, 36, was jailed for three years after he fired a shotgun twice at his partner's Ford Focus during a heated argument. The incident occurred on Whitechapel Road, Blanchardstown, where Smith had taken the shotgun from his home and discharged it, smashing the car's windows. Gardaí found a double‑barrel sawn‑off shotgun and cartridges in a Mazda parked at Smith's address, linking the weapon to him. Smith pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances. The court noted his prior drug‑related difficulties and his efforts at rehabilitation, but also his role as a father to three children. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as a "fit of anger" and imposed a three‑year sentence, crediting any time already served.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who fired shotgun at partner's car. Charges or matters: the possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances on April 22, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 22, 2019 Incident
• 2021-07-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report