Thursday 29 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. 10900Firearms offences (unauthorised possession of an air rifle and ammunition) · Co. Donegal · 19 Feb 2024

Derry pensioner fined €400 over illegal air rifle bought for friend, Donegal

A 67-year-old man from Derry, Raymond Graham, was found in possession of an air rifle and ammunition after a Garda search of a property at Carrownamaddy, Burt, County Donegal, on 19 February 2024. He was interviewed on 12 April 2025 and admitted owning the rifle and pellets. On 19 February 2026, he pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to three charges under the Firearms Act, and Judge Emile Daly convicted him on two of them. He was fined a total of €400 with four months to pay, and the latest reported development is that sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Raymond Graham, a 67-year-old retired builder from Derry, bought a Walther Rotex RM8 air rifle for a friend.
Where
The air rifle and ammunition were found in a Garda search of a property at Ard Na Mara, Carrownamaddy, Burt, County Donegal.
When
The Garda search took place on 19 February 2024.
Cause
  • Graham said he did not know the air rifle needed a permit in this jurisdiction.
  • The rifle was bought in Wales without a licence, according to the defence, which said it was for recreational target shooting with a club in Lifford.
Weapon
Ballistic examination found the rifle and pellets were a firearm and ammunition under the Firearms Act.
Investigation
Graham was interviewed on 12 April 2025 and admitted ownership of the air rifle and pellets.
Charges
Graham was charged under the Firearms Act with possessing an air rifle without an authorised firearms certificate and with unauthorised possession of ammunition.
In court
  • Graham pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to three charges under the Firearms Act, and the judge convicted him on two of the three offences.
  • Judge Emile Daly gave Graham credit for an early guilty plea.
Sentence
Graham was fined a total of €400 with four months to pay.
Other details
  • Graham has no previous convictions.
  • Graham's solicitor was granted Legal Aid because he is a pensioner.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Derry pensioner bought an illegal air rifle for a friend in County Donegal and was fined €400. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe weapon and ammunition were found in a Garda search of a property at Ard Na Mara, Carrownamaddy, Burt. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe Garda search took place on February 19, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeGraham bought the air rifle for a friend and did not know it needed a permit in this jurisdiction. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationBallistic examination found the items were a firearm and ammunition under the Firearms Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGraham was interviewed on April 12, 2025, and admitted ownership of the air rifle and pellets. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeRaymond Graham pleaded guilty to three charges under the Firearms Act at Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGraham admitted possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 air rifle without an authorised firearms certificate. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGraham also pleaded guilty to two counts of unauthorised possession of ammunition. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly convicted Graham of two of the three offences. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge gave Graham credit for an early guilty plea. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceGraham was fined a total of €400 with four months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe rifle was bought in Wales without a licence. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the rifle was bought for recreational target shooting with a shooting club in Lifford. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGraham has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGraham's solicitor was granted Legal Aid because his client is a pensioner. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Feb2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Pensioner who bought illegal air rifle for friend fined €400 for firearms offences

    Reports the court outcome: guilty pleas, two convictions, €400 in fines with four months to pay, and the defence account that the rifle was bought in Wales for a friend.

    convicted, Raymond Graham, 67, male, named, irish (judged from name)Raymond Graham