A 23-year-old Newcastle man charged with being in possession of a sawn-off shotgun at a house in the west of the city last year was granted bail at Galway District Court this week.
Giving evidence of arrest, charge, and caution at Monday’s sitting Garda Fergal Kilbane told the court how Michael Murphy with an address at 203 Laurel Park, Newcastle, had been arrested at 1.15pm that day and conveyed to Galway Garda Station where he was charged with being in possession of a shotgun, a Baikel shotgun whose barrel had been shortened to a length of less than 61cm, at 76 Droim Chaoin, Rahoon, contrary to Section 12A(6 ) and (a ) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1925, on April 19, 2012. Murphy gave no reply to the charge.
Defence solicitor Colin Lynch then made an application for bail as well as an application for legal aid for his client who is a mature student. Inspector Derek Gannon said there would be no State objection and that bail could be granted.
Judge Mary Fahy remanded Murphy on his own bail of €500, one half to be lodged, with the condition that he sign on at his local Garda station one day a week between 9am and 9pm. Murphy is due to appear at Galway District Court again on December 9 next for DPP directions.
