Man sentenced for brandishing fake firearm
A father of five who went binge drinking and pointed an imitation handgun at several people in two pubs has been given a two year suspended sentence by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Michael Cahill (aged 56) of Chesterfield Copse, Castleknock, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm presented in a manner likely to intimidate another at Bridge Street, Dublin 8, on November 22, 2002.
Garda Sandra Brennan told Ms Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, said that Cahill had been on a drinking spree that night. He came across the gas powered air pistol, which a customer in the pub was using as a prop for line dancing, and started pointing it at three customers drinking at the bar.
He claimed he knew the gun was a fake and started to mess with it. Pointing it at the head of one of the customers, he pulled the trigger and nothing happened.
Gda Brennan said Cahill then went across to the Brazen Head pub and was refused entry, as he was intoxicated.
Robert Lewis, a doorman at the Brazen Head said Cahill got aggressive and pulled what he believed to be a gun from his pocket and pointed it at him.
He also put the gun through the railing and pointed it at bar manager Stephen Wilson shouting, “Come out here you coward”.
Gda Brennan said a doorman from O’Shea’s Merchants pub ran over to Cahill to tell him he can’t frighten people like that.
Both Lewis and Wilson then realised the gun was not real.
Mr Martin Dully, SC, defending said Cahill was “extremely intoxicated and had a hazy recollection of the night.” “He was shocked and horrified when he realised the extent of the incident,” said Mr Dully.
The unemployed plasterer has an ongoing battle with alcohol.
Judge Hogan ordered a probation report when he first heard evidence last March.
He said: “This event happened when he was in the throes of drink and it is obvious he has a serious drink problem.
“He did not know what he was doing but what he did was a grave matter. He pointed the imitation gun at people and frightened them.”
Judge Hogan suspended the sentence on strict conditions including that Cahill attend an alcohol treatment programme.
