Man with fake gun in his trousers waistband on Dublin street sparked multiple emergency calls to gardaí
A man caught with a realistic imitation firearm on a Dublin street has a fascination with military memorabilia, a court heard.
Paul Leonard (47) sparked emergency calls to gardaí after he was seen with the fake gun in the waistband of his trousers.
Judge Stephanie Coggans ordered Leonard to donate €100 to the court Poor Box and said she would strike out the charge.
The defendant, with an address at Woodview Lodge in Portrane, admitted possession of a realistic imitation firearm at Main Street in Swords on July 13, 2024.
Sergeant Janice Gray told Swords District Court that gardaí received numerous 999 calls that a man was on Swords Main Street with a gun in the waistband of his trousers.
Sgt Gray said gardaí went to the scene and found Leonard and the fake gun.
The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said Leonard had a fascination with military memorabilia and bought the imitation weapon in a shop in Dublin city centre a number of years ago.
Ms D'Arcy said Leonard forgot he had the imitation gun, but found it again, and foolishly brought it out with him. The defendant did not produce the weapon on the street, the solicitor said.
Ms D'Arcy asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying that Leonard, who was unemployed and on disability, had difficulties with street tablets and was due to begin a six month detox programme shortly.