Sunday 1 November 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. 21480Unauthorised possession of a firearm · Co. Limerick · 12 Nov 2020

Limerick farmer sentenced for unauthorised possession of a firearm

Thomas Stack, a 44-year-old man from Clonee, Ballyagran, was found in possession of an unlicensed air rifle at Coolagowan, Castletown, Kilmallock, on 12 November 2020 while Gardaí were making enquiries about an unrelated matter. He pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a firearm at Newcastle West District Court. In April 2023, Judge Carol Anne Coolican applied the Probation Act and ordered the disposal of the air rifle, so Stack left court without a criminal record.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted17 Apr
  6. Sentenced6 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Thomas Stack pleaded guilty to unauthorised possession of a firearm, an air rifle, without a licence.
Where
The offence occurred at Coolagowan (also spelled Coolagown), Castletown, Kilmallock, Limerick.
When
The offence occurred on 12 November 2020.
Weapon
The weapon was an air rifle measuring 13.7 joules, which requires a certificate under the Firearms Act.
Investigation
Garda Patrick Cronin was in the area making enquiries about an unrelated matter when he met Stack, who was in possession of the air rifle.
In court
The case was heard at Newcastle West District Court, with Inspector Gearoid Thompson prosecuting.
Sentence
Judge Carol Anne Coolican applied the Probation Act and ordered disposal of the firearm, so Stack left court without a criminal record.
Other details
  • The air rifle was purchased over the counter in a shop in Limerick and can also be bought easily online.
  • Stack's solicitor said he used the air rifle to shoot vermin and was not aware that a gun of this type needed a licence.
  • The prosecution accepted Stack did not have the gun for any nefarious purpose.
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
  1. 17 Apr2023
    Convictedlimerickleader.ie, its first report
    Limerick 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
  2. 6 Apr2023
    Sentencedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Limerick 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