Firearms licences restored to shooting enthusiast

A shooting enthusiast who lost his firearms licences because of garda concerns for public safety won his licences back yesterday after claiming that he was a calm person with no inclination to be aggressive.

Miodrag Labus, of 4 Friars Walk Mews, Friars Walk, Cork, said he had been involved in shooting wild animals since he was growing up in Croatia. He continued this pastime over the past 12 years in Ireland, shooting deer, fox, and rabbits until the recent revocation of his rifle and shotgun licences.

Superintendent Barry McPolin said during an appeal hearing at Cork District Court yesterday that the reason for refusing to grant licences to Mr Labus for his Tikka bolt action rifle and Baikal double barrel shotgun was a concern for public safety.

The father of three, now an Irish citizen, signed his recent application for renewal of his firearms licences confirming he had not been convicted for any offence and there was no matter pending against him, at the time.

However, Supt McPolin said a Garda check discovered the applicant had been convicted of engaging in threatening words or behaviour during an incident at a pub and there had been a second incident where gardaí called to his home following a complaint in relation to a domestic disturbance.

Eugene Murphy, solicitor, said while Mr Labus had pleaded guilty to the threatening charge, the judge had dismissed it under the Probation of Offenders Act on payment of a charitable donation.

In respect of the domestic matter, Mr Labus testified his wife came home from work and raised her voice about some issues at home but he was not involved in this, and it was a minor matter reported to gardaí by a “sensitive” neighbour. Gardaí called to the house but no case was brought against Mr Labus or anyone else.

Towards the end of a lengthy appeal yesterday, Mr Murphy asked Supt McPolin if he had revised his view of the appellant in light of the issues canvassed in the appeal.

He said: “Based on what I have heard here today, it appears he is a man of good character. I suppose I would have a change of perspective, given what I have heard.”

Mr Labus thanked Judge Olann Kelleher for granting his firearm licences and accepted he might have underestimated how serious it was to have been prosecuted for threatening behaviour.