14 years for man caught with pump-action shotgun

A armed robber who was caught with a loaded shotgun outside a family home in Cork last year has been jailed for 14 years.

Defence senior counsel Brendan Nix complained at the sentencing hearing for Niall Fitzpatrick: “I have never seen in my entire existence such a lust to put someone behind bars.”

He also complained about the behaviour of armed members of the regional support unit (RSU) present in court during the five-week trial. “Sexing up the equipment, and this drama placed up in front of the jury, I consider that quite dishonest,” said Mr Nix.