Longford court hears hunting is ‘passion’ of man found with ‘unauthorised’ firearm

A judge has directed a father of two, who was found in unauthorised possession of a firearm, to make a charity contribution.

Grzegorz Kurkul (52) of The Waterfront, Tarmonbarry, Roscommon pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to unauthorised possession of a firearm on August 19, 2024.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the defendant was arrested on the date in question for a separate alleged offence.

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The court heard while Mr Kurkul was being spoken to on the roadside in Mullagh on the N5 Bypass Longford, a public place, a firearm was found on the back seat of the vehicle belonging to the defendant.

Sgt Daly said the firearm was made safe and it was seized by Garda Sean Harrison.

"The firearm was forwarded to the ballistic and forensic investigation section for testing and the result returned stated that the firearm was a .177 over 4.5 millimetre calibre cross advantage air rifle.

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"That had a muzzle energy of over one dual and as a result that would require a firearms certificate.

"A voluntary cautionary statement was taken and he denied owning the firearm but he admitted to it being in his possession at the time,” Sgt Daly added.

The court heard Mr Kurkul had no previous convictions “other than some road traffic matters”.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client , a Polish-born, married father of two, has lived in Ireland for several years and he owns three rifles and hunting is his 'passion'.

"His rifles are stored in a special compartment in the back of his car when he goes hunting.

"It's secure and he also has full safety arrangements at home, he has a safe alarm and cameras.”

Mr Gearty said the former lorry driver and accountant has an expertise in guns and he is an active member of the IFA countryside group, a member of Country Sports Ireland and a member of Irish Deer Society.

The solicitor said his client is held in good esteem and in situations where deer come to harm on public roads there Mr Kurkul is on a 'team' of people who are sent out from a panel to humanly dispatch the deer.

Mr Gearty said his client is a trusted member of the sports community who cooperated fully with Gardaí and he said a conviction would have 'serious consequences'.

"Another gentleman approached him and because of his expertise in calibrating the telescopic sight with the barrel of the gun asked him to use his expertise to calibrate.

"He assured him that it was a fair limit below the calibration and a great mistake Mr Kurkul's made was not to properly investigation the calibration of this air rifle and as a result he is guilty of the offence.

"It took a while but the ballistic people did carry out an analysis and it showed that it was over the calibration.

"He is coming here cap in hand with €500 to offer to any charity that the court would nominate if the court could find it in its gift to not impose a conviction in this case, he appreciates that might be asking a lot."

Judge Bernadette Owens considered the circumstances and she directed Mr Kurkul to pay €500 to the Little Blue Heroes charity by November 16.

Judge Owens also gave an order for the air rifle to be destroyed.