Man pointed gun at gardaí, court hears

A man arrested after he allegedly pointed a hand-gun with a silencer at gardaí in Dublin on Wednesday last appeared in court today on firearms charges.

Dressed in white boiler-suit, Mr Niall Fitzgerald (aged 27), who is of no fixed abode, but formerly of Dufferin Avenue, South Circular Road, D8, was brought before Dublin District Court on three charges under the Firearms Act for possessing a handgun with a silencer, at Dolphin’s Barn and at the Grand Canal bank, on July 23 last.

Detective Garda Declan Boland said Mr Fitzgerald replied “not guilty I didn’t have a gun” after he was charged at Kilmainham station.

Det-Gda Boland objected to bail citing the seriousness of the alleged offence and fears the defendant may not turn up to court if granted bail.

He told Judge Bryan Smyth the defendant had been caught “red-handed”. He said that at 11.40pm on Wednesday last, gardaí searched the Dolphin House complex after getting a report of a man armed with a gun.

He said he saw the defendant walking along the canal bank and when a Garda car passed “he lay on his back to avoid detection”.

Det-Gda Boland said he approached with his weapon drawn and shouted “armed Garda”. He said it was alleged the accused jumped to his feet and produced a firearm from under his clothing.

He said while the accused ran he was still holding the gun and had it pointed at one of his colleagues.

He also said that he saw the defendant slip on the canal bank, drop the firearm into the water and then hide in bushes.

The area was searched and the accused was “flushed out and arrested”.

A loaded gun with a silencer was found in the area where the accused had been, he also said.

Mr John Berry, counsel for the defendant, said he was instructed to make an application for bail. He said his client would abide by any bail terms set down including a signing on condition and an independent surety of between €10,000 and €20,000 could be obtained.

Judge Smyth refused bail and remanded Mr Fitzgerald in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court next week.

He granted legal aid after hearing the defendant was unemployed and also certified for medical attention in custody to include methadone treatment.