Man claims bullets were inspiration for crime novel

A MAN on trial for having ammunition at his home in Passage West, Co Cork, told a detective he had two particular bullets in a biscuit tin in his bedroom as an inspiration for the writing of crime novels.

Detective Garda Ian Breen testified that he found what looked like a Magnum 357 bullet and a .38 bullet in a biscuit tin in Don Blayney’s bedroom at his home at Cnoc Abhainn, Old Church Road, Passage West.

“I asked him why he had them. He said he was a crime writer and they were an inspiration for his crime novels … He told me he used them as an inspiration for his writing,” Detective Garda Breen said.

Blayney is not charged with any offence in connection with those bullets.

The jury of 10 women and two men was told that 220 live rounds of assault rifle ammunition was found in a lunchbox contained in a drawer in an office attic during the search of Blayney’s home on February 18, 2005. He pleaded not guilty to that charge.

When Sergeant Peter Quinn cautioned Blayney in relation to that ammunition, the defendant replied: “I have absolutely no idea what that is. I do not honestly know where they came from. I swear I don’t know. I have never seen them before.” Sgt Quinn said Blayney later asked him what they were and the sergeant replied: “Bullets.”

Marjorie Farrelly, senior counsel for the prosecution, said in her opening of the case that the ammunition was suitable for use in an assault rifle such as a Kalashnikov and she said they were manufactured in Yugoslavia in 1982.

A neighbour of Blayney, John Corkery, said that his children found two partially burnt Northern Irish Sterling notes in their garden and he telephoned the gardaí. When they called and interviewed him they asked if there had been any fires in the area recently and one of Mr Corkery’s daughter interjected with the question: “Why don’t you tell them about Don’s chimney?”

Mr Corkery explained to the guards that Blayney’s chimney had gone on fire the previous night, but this was nothing unusual. He said he was blue in the face from going into his neighbour’s cottage to tell him that his chimney was on fire.

Mr Corkery said he had known the defendant for years and that over the years his family felt welcome to walk into the defendant’s house without knocking at the door.

The trial continues today.