A 21-year-old man who allegedly brandished a handgun outside a Dublin garda station, before a young boy later fired it in the area, has been sent forward for trial.
Josh Larkin was charged with weapons offences for possessing a black handgun and producing it in the course of a dispute, at Gateway Crescent outside Ballymun Garda station in the city’s north side on 28 April.
Unemployed Mr Larkin, of Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, also faces a connected charge for possessing cannabis at Sillogue Park on the same date.
On 30 April, bail was set at €20,000, with a €6,500 cash lodgement required, and he remains in custody.
He appeared at Cloverhill District Court today when the Director of Public Prosecutions issued directions for trial on indictment before a book of evidence was served on Mr Larkin.
Judge Patricia Cronin granted a return for trial order sending him forward for trial to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 22 October.
An earlier bail hearing was told the incident was connected to a local gang feud.
Garda Ben Grimes said that at about 3.13 pm, he and a colleague were about to go out to conduct routine enquiries in the district when they observed what appeared to be three males in an altercation directly opposite the station.
Garda Grimes said one of them brandished a handgun at people, but he fled on an e-scooter when approached.
Gardaí circulated the male’s description and gave chase to Sillogue Park, where the accused was allegedly arrested.
Ballymun gardaí recovered “impeccable” quality CCTV from seven locations, the court heard.
Referring to the footage, the officer alleged: “Moments after the handgun is dumped in a bush in Sillogue Gardens, it was picked up by a six-year-old child. The child hands it to his 11-year-old brother, who accidentally discharges it.”
The boy was treated for a shoulder injury from the gun recoil, and the gun was unaccounted for, the court had heard.