Stun gun ‘for use in neighbourhood watch’
The weapons were discovered during a search of the home of James Hackett, of 14 Noonan Rd, Cork, on September 15, 2013.
Judge David Riordan said: “It is curious Mr Hackett is found in possession of a drug – cannabis – and he says he held these items to protect his own and his neighbourhood from more serious drugs from circulating.”
Detective Garda Stephen Fuller testified that on that date a number of premises were searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act at Noonan Rd, Cork.
“We went to Mr Hackett’s home address. He was found in the front living room of the house. A search of that room was undertaken. During the course of that search all three items and the cannabis were found.
“It was a fully functioning stun gun and a container of pepper spray and a container of CS gas. He accepted responsibility for ownership of the items.
“He provided an account in respect of the items. He said essentially he was acting as part of a neighbourhood watch scheme – an unapproved neighbourhood watch scheme I might add,” Det Gda Fuller said.
The defendant explained it stemmed from his reaction to a child finding a heroin needle locally. He pleaded guilty to having the items and a small amount of cannabis herb in his possession.
Defence barrister Paula McCarthy told Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday: “He is 28 years old and he is addressing addiction difficulties and getting on well. He has not come to the attention of An Garda Síochána since this occurred in September 2013.
“He has no previous for this type of offence. The probation service deem him suitable for a period of probation supervision.
“He wishes to apologise for the offence.”
Judge David Riordan imposed an overall sentence of two-and-a-half years in prison, suspended for four years, and a community service order totalling 240 hours.
“If you keep your nose clean for four years you are out the gap,” the judge added.
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