Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal produced 'realistic looking' firearm after striking man in pub
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Noel McCabe, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic‑looking airgun, common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm. The offences occurred on 24 September 2024. McCabe first forced entry into a house at Briarwood Lawn, Mulhuddart, then struck a man in a pub at the Westend Shopping Centre, producing a gas pistol from his tracksuit. He dropped gas canisters shaped like bullets, which were not ammunition. Later that evening, Gardaí found a black revolver near him at the same address; forensic analysis confirmed it was a realistic‑looking firearm. McCabe, intoxicated and argumentative, was arrested and later restrained during transport. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five‑year sentence, back‑dated to September 2024, without part‑suspension, citing McCabe's extensive record of 41 convictions and his expressed remorse. The sentence aims to encourage behavioural change.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal produced 'realistic looking' firearm after striking man in pub. Charges or matters: two counts of possession of a firearm – an airgun – in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess or control it for a lawful purpose; common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm in the course of a dispute. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 24, 2024 Incident
- September 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-10-20 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: two counts of possession of a firearm – an airgun – in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess or control it for a lawful purpose; common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm in the course of a dispute (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Martin Nolan imposed a five-year sentence. Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of five years backdated to September 2024, when McCabe went into custody.
Defendant
Charges: two counts of possession of a firearm – an airgun – in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess or control it for a lawful purpose; common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm in the course of a dispute (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of five years backdated to September 2024, when McCabe went into custody. He said McCabe was "going to have to make up his own mind" and that the court "hoped" the five year sentence would change him.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- being transported to the garda station
Topics
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