Man who illegally imported gun part from USA seeks shotgun licence at Laois court

Gardaí objected to a gun licence application for a man who was convicted of illegally bringing a firearm part into Ireland from the USA. 

Damien Graham of Ballinagall, Ballickmoyler, Co Carlow, was given a six month suspended sentence after he was caught illegally importing a bolt from a Sterling gun in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport having arrived from a gun conference in America in November 2021. 

A solicitor for the accused brought an application before Portlaoise District Court in relation to a firearms licence.  “He was refused a certificate by the gardaí on the basis of the conviction,” the solicitor explained. 

“He had been attending a firearms convention in America and he brought home a mechanism,” he explained. He said the case was sent forward to the circuit court on a signed plea. 

Garda Inspector Joe Culliton said he dealt with the licence matter in his capacity as acting Superintendent in June of 2024. He said a licence for a shotgun was discontinued due to the conviction. 

Judge Andrew Cody said it was his understanding that anyone who was convicted of a firearms offence, a terrorist offence or an offence against the State couldn’t hold a firearms licence.  

The applicant's solicitor said the background to the case was complicated. He said the man was given a six month suspended sentence in relation to the matter. He said while there was a conviction, his client hadn’t spent any time in prison and he believed there was a distinction between a conviction and a conviction with a custodial sentence and the court might have discretion in relation to the licence. He described his client as “a gun sport enthusiast”.

Judge Cody asked the solicitor to make a written submission in relation to the matter. He wanted to see the original conviction in relation to the case. He adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on October 16.