Competitive marksman had too much ammunition at his Louth home
A competitive marksman who had more ammunition than he had authorisation for has been given an opportunity to retain his clean record.
Libero Borza (60), Blakestown, Ardee, pleaded guilty at Dundalk District Court to 2 charges in respect of possession of 3,900 rounds of air rifle pellets and 7,707 rounds of shotgun cartridges, such possession not authorised by a Firearms Certificate.
His solicitor said that he had accumulated the ammuntion over a number of years and was storing it for competition use. The defendant did not think there was any restriction on what he could hold.
Evidence was given that gardaí seized the ammunition at Mr Borza’s Blakestown address on July 20, 2024. Also taken from a safe were two legally held firearams and two legally held air rifles.
The DPP directed summary disposal of the matter in the district court, while gardaí said there were no criminal overtones.
The accused’s connection to two other individuals was purely because he possessed a compressor for filling gas cannisters for air rifles.
The court also heard that Mr Borza was fully licensed for all his shooting activities. He had more ammunition than he was entitled to have.
A garda said that he had no reason to doubt that he was storing it for shooting competitions abroad. He competed internationally in clay pigeon shooting.
Solicitor Frank McDonnell said over a number of years his client had accumulated more ammunition than the terms of his authorisation. When he travelled for competitions he required more.
The defendant was “mortified” over this. He didn’t think there was any restriction on what he could hold.
Judge Nicola Andrews put the case back to July 20 for a €500 donation to the court fund in order for the Probation Act to be applied.
Mr McDonnell said that there was consent to the firearms being returned on foot of a Police Property Application.
The excess ammunition could be forfeited to the State.