Longford woman who pointed imitation gun at detective must undertake community service

Ann Duke  (51), of 25 Great Water Street, Longford, pleaded guilty at the local circuit court to the obstruction of a peace officer, and possession of an imitation firearm.

The defendant was charged after she chased a number of youths through town with a pellet gun.

At an earlier court hearing, Detective Sergeant Keelin Brennan stated on January 4, 2023, a number of youths aged between 14 and 16 were returning from playing football when they passed Ms Duke’s house.

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Four of the youths knocked on her door and ran away towards the town.

Det Brennan said Ms Duke came out and followed them and she appeared to have a handgun in her hand at that stage.

The four youths ran in the direction of Tesco shopping centre and subsequently went to a house in Camlin Mews for a short time.

Det Brennan said they subsequently emerged and they walked back towards Tesco and they encountered Ms Duke on the opposite side of the road.

One of the youths told Gardaí that Ms Duke had fired five shots from the firearm, while another said he heard three shots and Ms Duke shouting “I will shoot”.

When one of the youths ran back to his home in Camlin Mews after 5pm and informed his parents, Ms Duke followed and began banging on the door, shouting, “Open the f**king door”.

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The boy’s father subsequently rang 999.

The court also heard that Ms Duke chased some of the youths to the Cathedral, where they ran to hide.

With the Armed Support Unit an hour and a half away, Detective Garda Seán Galvin, who was armed and wearing a specialist Garda jacket, attended Ms Duke’s house and found the door was open.

The court heard that Det Gda Galvin opened the door a little further, identified himself as a Garda and he then observed Ms Duke pointing a gun at him at chest level.

The officer informed her that he was armed and told her to put the gun down and stated, "This is the Gardaí”, before taking Ms Duke’s arm and grabbing the imitation firearm.

Det Gda Galvin ordered her to drop the gun and a struggle ensued and he overpowered her and she was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station.

The court heard that Ms Duke had made numerous reports to Gardaí regarding youths throwing eggs at her home, loitering outside her house, throwing stones and even throwing pizza at her windows.

The defendant has no previous convictions and she cooperated fully with Gardaí.

Judge Kenneth Connolly had previously requested a probation report and a report to assess Ms Duke's suitability for community service and he heard on Thursday she was deemed to be a good candidate.

Judge Connolly stated he had sympathy for Ms Duke as she had been targeted by the youths and suffered as a result, but her behaviour could not be repeated.