Mansfields on trial over ammunition

A Garda search team recovered more than 1,000 bullets in the home of a son of billionaire businessman Jim Mansfield, a court has heard.

Patrick James Mansfield, aged 39, who kept a legally-held loaded pistol hidden behind a picture frame over his bed, is accused of unlawful possession of 1,257 rounds of Walther .22 ammunition without a firearms licence at his former home at Coldwaters Lake in Saggart.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

As his trial commenced at Dublin District Court yesterday, Judge Ann Ryan held the case will be tried in the circuit court.

The court heard that gardaí from the Criminal Assets Bureau arrived at the property with a search warrant at 7am on January 29, 2015.

Det Garda Maria Flynn told the court that boxes of bullets were found in a gun safe, in a bedroom walk-in wardrobe, and in a garage.

The court heard Det Gda Nigel Petrie found a licensed loaded Walther .22 pistol behind a picture frame over a bed in the master bedroom.

The court heard he was licensed to have 300 bullets for the Walther .22 pistol but he had 1,557 rounds of ammunition. He was ordered to appear again on January 17.

His brother Jim Mansfield Jnr, aged 48, has pleaded not guilty to having 180 rounds of .22 Walther ammunition without a firearms licence at his home at Tassaggart House in Saggart on the same date. Judge Ann Ryan adjourned his case until January 17 for mention.

Businessman Jim Mansfield Sr died in 2014.