Ireland Limerick farmer given Probation Act over unlicensed air rifle
Thomas Stack, a 44-year-old farmer from Clonee, Ballyagran, was found by gardaí in possession of an air rifle at Coolagown, Castletown, County Limerick, on 12 November 2020, while they were conducting enquiries into an unrelated matter. The air rifle measured 13.7 joules, which requires a certificate under the Firearms Act, and Stack did not hold a licence for it. He pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a firearm at Newcastle West Court on 17 April 2023, and Judge Carol Anne Coolican applied the Probation Act. The latest development is that Stack left court without a criminal record.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted17 Apr
- Sentenced6 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas Stack, aged 44, of Clonee, Ballyagran, is the suspect, described in the report as a Limerick farmer.
- Where
- The offence took place at Coolagown, Castletown, County Limerick.
- When
- The offence took place on 12 November 2020.
- Weapon
- The weapon was an air rifle measuring 13.7 joules.
- Other details
- At 13.7 joules the air rifle requires a certificate under the Firearms Act, and Stack did not hold a licence for it.
- The report says Stack used the air rifle to shoot vermin on his farm, and the prosecutor accepted it was not held for any nefarious reason.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found Stack in possession of the air rifle while conducting enquiries into an unrelated matter.
- Charges
- Stack pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a firearm.
- In court
- Inspector Gearoid Thompson prosecuted the case at Newcastle West Court, also called Newcastle West District Court in the report.
- Sentence
- On 17 April 2023 Judge Carol Anne Coolican applied the Probation Act, so Stack left court without a criminal record.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThomas Stack pleaded guilty to having the air rifle without a licence. (limerickpost.ie)
- whatThomas Stack pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a firearm. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe offence occurred at Coolagowan, Castletown, Kilmallock. (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe firearm possession took place at Coolagown, Castletown. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe offence occurred on 12 November 2020. (limerickpost.ie)
- whenThe offence took place on 12 November 2020. (limerickleader.ie)
- weaponThe weapon was an air rifle. (limerickleader.ie)
- investigationGarda Patrick Cronin was in the area making enquiries about an unrelated matter when he met Stack. (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí found Stack in possession of an air rifle while conducting enquiries into an unrelated matter. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Newcastle West Court. (limerickleader.ie)
- courtInspector Gearoid Thompson prosecuted the case. (limerickleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Carol Ann Coolican imposed the Probation Act and ordered disposal of the firearm. (limerickpost.ie)
- sentenceJudge Carol Anne Coolican applied the Probation Act, so Stack left court without a criminal record. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherThe air rifle was purchased over the counter in a shop in Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe defence stated the gun can be bought easily online and there are thousands or hundreds of thousands in the country. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherStack was not aware that a gun of this type needed a licence. (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe air rifle measured 13.7 joules, which requires a certificate under the Firearms Act. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherStack did not have a licence for the air rifle. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherStack's solicitor said he used the air rifle to shoot vermin. (limerickleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Apr2023Limerick farmer in court over air rifle
First report of this case, covering the guilty plea and the Probation Act disposal at Newcastle West District Court on 17 April 2023.
convicted, Thomas Stack, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Stack - 6 Apr2023Limerick farmer in court for shooting rats with unlicensed gun
Provides details of the court hearing: the guilty plea, the defence argument that the air rifle was bought over the counter in a Limerick shop and is widely available online, the prosecution's acceptance that the gun was not held for any nefarious purpose, and the judge's imposition of the Probation Act with disposal of the firearm.
accused, Thomas Stack, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Stack