Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3335Reckless discharge of a firearm, assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 28 Aug 2022

Deerhunter convicted of shooting man meditating in Rathfarnham garden to be sentenced

Maurice Mahon, 81, a licensed huntsman from Bray, Co. Wicklow, was convicted in March 2026 of reckless discharge of a firearm and assault causing harm after shooting Innokenti Belaga in the leg while stalking deer near the victim's rented home in Rathfarnham, Dublin, in August 2022. Judge Elma Sheahan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 27 July 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted16 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMahon was convicted of reckless discharge of a firearm at Kilmashogue Lane in Rathfarnham, Dublin on 28 August 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMahon was also convicted of assaulting Innokenti Belaga causing harm on the same occasion. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was meditating while standing at the bottom of his garden with his dog nearby. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim spent a month in hospital and long periods as an in-patient in a rehabilitation hospital. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim required the use of a wheelchair for periods and now needs walking sticks. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBefore the assault the victim was an accomplished athlete competing in underwater hockey, snorkelling, bouldering and climbing. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim lost his rented home and is now homeless due to the level of care required after the shooting. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMahon and another stalker had been hired by the landowner to shoot deer that were attacking his crops. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMahon told gardaí at the scene he had discharged a shot at what he thought was a fox in the vicinity of sheep. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHaving heard the shouts of pain, Mahon found the victim and tried to assist, including getting emergency services to the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMahon pleaded not guilty to both counts. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAfter a trial running from late February into March, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge ordered a Probation Service assessment and adjourned finalisation of sentence to 27 July. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge remanded Mahon on continuing bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMahon has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Apr2026
    Convictedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Deerhunter who shot man meditating in his Rathfarnham garden to be sentenced

    Details of the sentencing hearing including the victim impact statement, defence arguments about the deer-stalking context, and adjournment of sentencing to 27 July 2026.

    victim, Innokenti Belaga, male, non-irish (judged from name)Innokenti Belagaconvicted, Maurice Mahon, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Maurice Mahon