Paul Byrne jailed for reckless discharge of a firearm

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Paul Byrne was sentenced to three years for reckless discharge of a firearm, with the final year suspended.

Byrne pleaded guilty to the charge. The proceedings were reported on 23 February 2022.

The offence occurred at Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin, on 25 April 2019, when Byrne discharged shots from a sawn-off shotgun outside a home. His lawyers said he had a history of alcohol abuse and depression, while Kathleen Leader SC said he had cocaine and alcohol addiction. Judge Melanie Greally rejected his explanation that he was trying to harm himself, describing it as implausible, and said the actions exposed a young family to significant danger. Byrne had no previous convictions.