Man with replica weapons told by judge not to listen to his mother
Det Garda Seán Minihane said the sudden death was not a criminal matter.
When they were present there, on August 30 last, they found the collection of weapons.
At Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Artur Selczkowski, aged 40, of 150 Bracken Court, Douglas, Cork, was arraigned on eight separate charges and pleaded guilty to all counts.
“We found imitation firearms, CO2 gas cylinders, and fireworks in his bedroom.
“They were all blank firearms. The barrels were blocked. They looked real,” Det Garda Minihane said.
The detective said the stun guns were in the shape of torches.
Selczkowski told gardaí the weapons were part of a collection he had at his home in Poland.
“When he moved from Poland, his mother wanted them out of the house. We fully accept he was not going to use them for anything untoward.
“He stated that because Poland is in Europe and the items were legal there he thought they were legal throughout Europe,” said the officer.
The DPP said the case could have been dealt with at Cork District Court but Judge Leo Malone had refused jurisdiction, stating: “That is an armoury in itself.”
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “This is a worrying collection of imitation firearms. “In the normal course of events it would merit an immediate prison sentence.
“His explanation for having them was very specific. They came from his own country where this type of collection would be lawful. The mistake on his part would not have absolved him of responsibility, they were in his house.
“He co-operated and had no previous convictions. The guards have no worry about him.
“Taking all that into consideration a 12-month suspended sentence is appropriate.”
As the matter was completed, Judge Ó Donnabháin remarked to the accused: “Don’t listen to your mother anymore.”
