Publican pointed gun at customer

A KANTURK publican pointed a shotgun at a customer’s head and then raised the gun to fire a shot into the ceiling to let him know he was facing a loaded firearm.

That was the scenario at The Old Court Inn, The Square, Kanturk, Co Cork, a premises owned and operated by John Fogarty, who was also living over the premises at the time.

Detective Garda Padraig Reddington said: “Michael Heelan went to the pub owned by John Fogarty. Mr Fogarty was inside. They conversed normally for some time. At around 11pm, Mr Fogarty beckoned the injured party to go along a corridor with him towards the smoking area in the back.

“Halfway along there was a door to the upstairs dwelling quarters. Mr Fogarty took a shotgun from there and pointed it at Mr Heelan and accused him of knowing something about barrels of beer going missing from his premises.

“Mr Fogarty said, ‘do you think this gun doesn’t work?’ He then discharged a shot into the ceiling. He lowered it and pointed it again at Mr Heelan who said he knew nothing about it.”

Defence barrister Seamus Roche said the defendant was also suffering paranoia at the time. He brought €3,000 compensation to court for Mr Heelan. Judge Patrick J Moran said this was not enough and he adjourned sentencing until February 28, 2011, for more compensation.