Pensioner who bought illegal air rifle for friend fined €400 for firearms offences

A Derry pensioner who bought an illegal air rifle for a friend in County Donegal has been fined €400 in court.

Raymond Graham, of Sandale Park, Derry, pleaded guilty to three charges in contravention of the Firearms Act at Buncrana District Court.

The 67-year-old retired builder admitted possession of a Walther Rotex RM8 air rifle without an authorised firearms certificate, contrary to Section 2 of the Firearms Act.

He also entered guilty pleas to two counts of unauthorised possession of ammunition, including Marksman air rifle 5.5mm/0.22 calibre lead pellets and 6mm Bulldog branded 5.5mm/0.22 air rifle pellets.

The court heard how the weapon and ammunition were found after a Garda search of a property at Ard Na Mara, Carrownamaddy, Burt, on February 19, 2024.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns explained how the search warrant had been executed pursuant to Section 29 of the Offences Against the State Act, while during the course of it, a Walther Rotex RM8 air rifle and two types of ammunition pellets were found.

Subsequent ballistic examination of these items determined that they were a firearm and ammunition within the definition of Section 11 of the Firearms Act.

Sgt Mulkerns said Raymond Graham was subsequently interviewed on April 12, 2025, and, after caution, he made admissions to ownership of the air rifle and pellets discovered.

The court heard how the Derry man has no previous convictions and has not come to any adverse Garda attention, either before or since this incident.

Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said a number of other items were taken during the search, including pellet guns, which didn’t qualify as firearms under the Act.

He said Mr Graham had bought the air rifle for a friend and was unaware that it required a permit in this jurisdiction.

“There’s an anomaly on both sides of the border, in that these items can be purchased freely in the UK, and this item was purchased in Wales without a licence, or without any incident. However, in this jurisdiction, they require a firearms certificate.”

Mr Dorrian added: “My client resides in Derry and he bought it for a friend of his who resides in Burt, and consequently, it was there where the offence was committed. It was purchased as a gift for another, and he accepts responsibility for it.”

“He bought it in good faith; he didn’t know he needed a licence for it. It wasn’t found in his home, but he took responsibility for it nevertheless.”

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Mr Dorrian said the weapon was bought for recreational purposes and there’s no suggestion of anything nefarious or untoward.

“It was found in a private house. It wasn’t concealed in any significant way; it was behind a curtain upstairs in a room.”

“There is no suggestion that it was intended to be used for any criminal purpose. It was never wielded nor used in any way to cause offence, concern, or fear in another.”

“This air rifle carries a high degree of accuracy, and it is used for target practise. The purpose of this was to engage with a shooting club in Lifford. It was purely obtained, maintained and intended to be used for recreational purposes.”

Mr Dorrian said Mr Graham has no previous convictions and is otherwise of good character.

Judge Emile Daly convicted Mr Graham of two of the three offences, and she imposed fines totalling €400, with four months to pay.

The judge said she gave the defendant credit for an early guilty plea, while Mr Dorrian was granted Legal Aid, given that his client is a pensioner.