Athlone District CourtFined for importing illegal firearm from SlovakiaA man who imported an illegal firearm from a military shop in Slovakia has been convicted and fined €500 with six months to pay. The parcels had come from an army military shop based in Slovakia and, upon examining the two parcels, they discovered the gas operated airgun, ammunition and two canisters of pepper spray. He was fully cooperative, the court heard, and he told Gardaí he had paid €300 online, believing he had purchased the weapon legally. Mr Forde, who represented himself, said he has no previous convictions and had not come before the courts prior to this. I apologise.”Judge Owens proceeded to convict Mr Forde and fined him €500, giving him six months to pay.

Source: Irish Independent April 03, 2026 22:07 UTC