Laois man told judge he was ‘using gun as shield, not sword’
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A LAOIS man who videoed himself with a shotgun sending threatening communications was remanded on continuing bail to the 20 April sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
James Delaney, Derrynaseera, Coolrain had previously been before the court when he pleaded guilty to possessing a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and to sending threatening or offensive communications with the intent to cause harm on 2 December 2024 at The Rock, Mountrath.
At that hearing, Garda Olympia Sosinska said the incident took place at 5.30pm that day and that Mr Delaney was later arrested under section 3 of the Offences Against the State Act.
She told the court that the defendant had two previous convictions, in 2006, one for assault, the other for failing to provide his details to gardaí.
Judge Fay had instructed the defendant to take part in the Restorative Justice Scheme, undergo a probation report and be assessed to see if he is a suitable candidate to undertake community service.
Gardaí were also asked to canvas a victim impact statement from the victims in the case.
When the case resumed last week, Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said the injured parties in the case had been canvassed for a victim impact statement but did not wish to make one.
Defence solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said Mr Delaney had followed the instructions of the court and had engaged fully with the Restorative Justice Programme.
He said the firearm his client had on the day had been decommissioned and could not have been used.
He said: “There were threats made to my client and he was using the gun as a shield and not as a sword.” He said the probation report on Mr Delaney “speaks of his good character, that he takes full responsibility for the possession of the firearm and for sending the communication.” Mr Fitzgerald said that a letter of apology would have been sent to the injured parties, but his client was under the impression that there was a court order in place preventing him from doing so and that “it was not a wilful neglect not to have engaged with them or to send them a letter of apology.” Mr Fitzgerald said that Mr Delaney had €300 with him in court that Judge Fay ordered should be donated to the garda community bus initiative in Portlaoise.
The judge went on to remand the defendant on continuing bail to the 20 April sitting of the court and instructed that he send a letter of apology to the injured parties.
