Courts / Dublin / Report

'Has your client ever heard of the Guards?': Judge spares dad who produced hammer

Summary

Neil Murray, 47, of Kilnamanagh, pleaded guilty to producing a hammer in a manner likely to intimidate under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, after an alleged altercation involving his son. He brought the hammer to a house on 3 July 2024, claiming it was a reaction to his son being assaulted by a boy who was not yet an adult. Garda David Dunne reported that Murray was fully cooperative with police. Murray's solicitor, Kevin Tunney, described him as a construction worker who overreacted out of concern for his son and now accepts that his response was wrong. He has a prior conviction for knife possession in 2005. Judge Vincent Deane asked him if he had ever heard of the Guards, questioned his future conduct, and secured a sworn promise not to repeat the offence. Murray paid €300 to the Little Blue Heroes charity.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Has your client ever heard of the Guards?': Judge spares dad who produced hammer. Charges or matters: producing a hammer in a manner likely to intimidate during an incident on July 3, 2024. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• July 3, 2024 Incident
• 2025-07-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report