Courts / Dublin / Report

'Bizarre and utterly implausible': shooter claimed he was trying to kill himself

Summary

Paul Byrne, 36, was jailed for two years after he fired a sawn‑off double‑barrel shotgun outside a mother of three's home in Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, on 25 April 2019. The mother, alarmed by the shots, called 999 and gardaí found the gun, a Halloween mask, a trail of blood and a car key belonging to Byrne's former partner. Byrne later admitted to the garda that he had found the gun and was drunk, claiming he had intended to harm himself in a failed suicide attempt. He pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm. Judge Melanie Greally described his explanation as "bizarre and utterly implausible", noting his history of alcohol abuse and depression but stating his actions were not consistent with a suicide attempt. The judge accepted character references and suspended the final year of a three‑year sentence, leaving a two‑year term in custody.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Bizarre and utterly implausible': shooter claimed he was trying to kill himself. Charges or matters: reckless discharge of a firearm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 25, 2019 Other
• 2022-02-23 Publication

Case subjects

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Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report