East Clare man pleads guilty to recklessly discharging shotgun and shooting neighbour

A 48 year old east Clare man has pleaded guilty to the reckless discharge of a shot-gun where he shot a farming neighbour going about his business.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Adrian Collins of Enagh, Kilkishen has pleaded guilty to the reckless discharge of a fire-arm contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act on February 26th 2023 at Enagh, Kilkishen.

Mr Collins pleaded guilty to the discharge of a firearm and was reckless as to whether anyone was injured or not.

The un-named victim - a married 65 year old father of four grown up children - was checking his cattle when shot. At the time, it was dark and was around 7pm at night.

Read Also: DPP to appeal sentence of Clare soldier Cathal Crotty

Mr Collins was facing three charges concerning the incident and counsel for the State, Lorcan Connolly BL (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) said that the plea to the single charge was a full facts basis.

Counsel for Mr Collins, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick) said: “This is an unfortunate situation.”

Mr Whyms said that his client is a 48-year old man with no previous convictions and is a hard-working family man.

Mr Whyms said that his client had been drinking on the date and mistook a neighbour going about his business for intruders and fired his shotgun.

Mr Whyms asked for a Probation Report on the accused.

Judge Francis Comerford also asked the unnamed gun-shot victim to provide a victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing.

Judge Comerford adjourned the case to July 26 to Ennis Circuit Court to fix a date for the sentencing hearing later in the year and Mr Collins was further remanded on bail.

Read more Crime & Courts stories on Clare Live