Yamba father who killed son before taking own life had gun licence renewed, inquest hears
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
The inquest before New South Wales Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan heard the 58-year-old Yamba man used the rifle to shoot his 15-year-old son as he lay sleeping in their home in June 2023, before turning the gun on himself.
The court heard the man had been on anti-depressants for almost 20 years and that his mental health had been fluctuating in the lead-up to the incident.
His mental health declined after the death of his father and a lawn mower accident in which he he injured his hand, the inquest was told.
Counsel assisting, Donna Ward, said the man's son had long been aware of his father's mental health issues and threats of self-harm.
"What a terrible burden for a not-yet-13-year-old to have," she said.
The court heard the man suffered an acute mental crisis in 2020 and that the family separated in 2021.
The boy opted to stay living with his father.
Throughout those years the man received treatment from two general practitioners, a private psychologist, a psychiatrist and some counselling services.
The inquest heard that in 2021 the man's application to renew his gun licence was denied after he answered in the affirmative to a question relating to mental health issues.
The police went to his house and confiscated his three firearms.
Later that year a doctor providing a medical report to the NSW Firearms Registry listed the man's patient history and stated he had "recovered quickly with appropriate psychological interventions".
The court heard the doctor found the man was "not a risk to public safety should he possess firearms".
In October 2022 a firearms officer recommended the man be reissued his licence.
In December police returned the guns, which the man was planning to use to teach his son how to hunt.
The inquest heard the man had stopped taking his medication in mid- to late-2022, although he resumed taking it a few weeks before the incident.
That week the boy was constantly checking in with his father, sending texts saying, "Love you, Dad", "How are you going?" "Are you having breakfast?" and "Are you going to nan's?"
"It seems [he] was back on suicide watch," Ms Ward said.
The inquest continues until Friday and will hear from the NSW Firearms Directory associate director and medical professionals who treated the man.
The court heard family members would also have a chance to make statements about the pair, who were "so loved and who so dearly loved each other but still died in such tragic circumstances".
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