Dublin dad brandished imitation shotgun after getting ‘dragged into' feud
A Dublin father of three who brandished a 'realistic' shotgun before smashing a car window with a brush had got 'dragged into' a feud between neighbours, a court heard.
Meehal Hannigan (27) was holding the gun 'like a stick' before he damaged the car amid a dispute involving his partner's family.
He later made threats during violence on the street as part of the same feud.
At Blanchardstown District Court, Judge David McHugh told him he can avoid prison if he is found suitable for 40 hours of community service.
Hannigan, with an address at Snowdrop Walk, Darndale pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a car at Greenfort Park, Clondalkin, on September 27 last year.
He also admitted violent disorder by using or threatening to use violence in public with three or more people in another incident at Greenfort Park two days later.
Detective Garda Neil McGrath told the court that before the first incident, Hannigan's partner's brother's car had been damaged.
Hannigan and another man were then seen approaching a house where the accused damaged the window of a Volkswagen Passat using a brush he picked up in the driveway.
He was seen making numerous threats and gestures
He was brandishing a plastic pellet shotgun, which was a realistic imitation, but he was holding it 'like a stick'.
The owner of the car was unco-operative with the garda investigation and there was no estimate for the damage.
Gardaí were called to the same location on September 29 in response to a report that a firearm had been discharged, allegedly targeting Hannigan's partner's family.
Gardaí saw a large dispute between a number of people.
Hannigan was seen 'making numerous threats and gestures' to people. He was 'slightly peripheral to the feud', his barrister Ciaran MacLoughlin said, and Det Gda McGrath agreed the accused 'got dragged into it'.
Blanchardstown District Court
Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 8th
He apologised for getting involved and there was 'an element of pressure' to it, Mr MacLoughlin said.
The feud had since subsided as one of the families had moved from the area and there was no longer any contact.
Hannigan worked in a builder's provider and was studying to be a personal trainer.
Judge Hughes adjourned the case for the production of a community service assessment. If Hannigan is found suitable, the judge recommended two blocks of 40 hours' community work in lieu of a prison sentence.
The accused was remanded on continuing bail to a date in October.
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