A man has been found guilty of firing a shot through the window of a house, causing a bullet to lodge in the neck of a young woman inside.
Gavin Sheehan (30), Laurel Ridge Estate, Shanakiel, Cork, had been charged with recklessly discharging a firearm at Hollywood Estate in the city on May 15th last, and with seriously injuring Ciara Sheehan.
Despite sharing the same surname, the two are not related.
Ms Sheehan gave evidence during the seven-day trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, recounting what had happened to her.
“I was standing in front of the window. I heard a loud bang. We ran towards the kitchen,” she said. “I felt my throat was getting all tight, my face was burning.
“I touched my neck, there was blood on my hands. That is when I realised I got shot in the neck.”
Dispute ongoing
Outlining the background to the case, Donal O’Sullivan, prosecuting, said there was a dispute going on between the defendant and members of the Cunningham family, of Hollywood Estate. Dylan Cunningham was Ms Sheehan’s boyfriend.
Mr O’Sullivan said the State’s case was that the defendant left his home with a gun in his hand and fired a shot through the window of the house before returning home from a different direction.
Sheehan was found guilty on four charges after the jury deliberated for 3½ hours. He had been charged with having in his possession at his home a Smith and Wesson 60.96 semi-automatic firearm; possession of a single 9 millimetre calibre round of ammunition; discharging a firearm and being reckless as to whether any person was injured or not, and assault causing serious harm to Ms Sheehan, all on May 15th.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin thanked the jurors for their diligence and dedication.
Sheehan was remanded in custody to be sentenced on February 14th next.