Ireland Huntsman convicted of shooting man in Rathfarnham garden to be sentenced next July
On 28 August 2022, at around 9pm, Innokenti Belaga, a man, was shot through the right femur while meditating at the bottom of his garden at Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, County Dublin. Maurice Mahon, an 81-year-old man, was charged with assault and reckless discharge of a firearm and pleaded not guilty. After a trial in February and March, a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts, and Mahon was convicted of assaulting Belaga causing him harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Sheahan ordered a Probation Service assessment and adjourned sentencing to 27 July 2026, with Mahon remaining on continuing bail.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted1 Apr
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Innokenti Belaga, a man, was meditating at the bottom of his garden with his dog nearby when he was shot.
- Where
- The shooting happened at Kilmashogue Lane in Rathfarnham, County Dublin, at the back of Belaga's rented home.
- When
- The offences occurred on 28 August 2022, at around 9pm.
- Cause
- Mahon was stalking deer in a field adjacent to the garden when he discharged the shot.
- Weapon
- Mahon fired a shot that went through Belaga's right femur, shattering it.
- Charges
- Maurice Mahon, an 81-year-old man, was charged with assault and reckless discharge of a firearm.
- In court
- Mahon pleaded not guilty, and a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after a trial in February and March.
- Mahon was convicted of assaulting Innokenti Belaga causing him harm, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Other details
- The prosecution said the State's case was that Mahon was reckless rather than intending harm.
- Mahon has no previous convictions.
- Belaga spent a month in hospital and was later moved to a rehabilitation hospital.
- Sentence
- Judge Sheahan ordered a Probation Service assessment and adjourned sentencing to 27 July 2026.
- Mahon was remanded on continuing bail pending sentencing.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim was meditating at the bottom of his garden with his dog nearby when he was shot. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened at Kilmashogue Lane in Rathfarnham. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe offences occurred on 28 August 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponMahon fired a shot that went through the victim's right femur, shattering it. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMahon was convicted of assaulting Innokenti Belaga causing him harm. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMahon had pleaded not guilty and a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after a trial in February and March. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe sentence hearing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMahon was remanded on continuing bail. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceJudge Sheahan ordered a Probation Service assessment and adjourned sentencing to 27 July. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe victim spent a month in hospital and later in a rehabilitation hospital. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said the State's case was that Mahon was reckless rather than intending harm. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMahon has no previous convictions. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Apr2026Huntsman who shot man meditating in his garden to be sentenced for assault next July
Reports the jury conviction, the victim impact statement and the adjournment of sentencing to 27 July 2026 after a Probation Service assessment. Mahon remains on continuing bail.
convicted, Maurice Mahon, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)Maurice Mahonvictim, Innokenti Belaga, maleInnokenti Belaga