A man who was spotted by motorists pointing a gun at passing cars from a bridge over the M50 motorway later told gardaí he was “bored and messing,” a court has heard.
Daniel Mazur (20), of Greenhills Road, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a black gas powered revolver handgun and six brass bullets containing ball bearings at Firhouse Road on June 9th, 2017.
He has 14 previous convictions including burglary and possession of knives and other articles.
Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned sentencing having previously heard evidence to allow for the preparation of a report from the Probation Service and both psychiatric and psychological assessments.
She sentenced Mazur to 3½ years in prison with the final 12 months suspended. She said she had ordered the reports to ensure that Mazur’s needs were met upon his eventual release from prison but also to determine the risk he may present to the community.
Those reports concluded that Mazur had psychological issues but did not have a mental disorder.
‘Alarm’
Judge Greally said because of the various items Mazur had on the day, he had the “capacity to distract, alarm and expose motorists to danger”.
She accepted that he had “an absence of family support” and that he was homeless and living a chaotic lifestyle at the time of his arrest.
Garda David Sheridan told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, that a motorist on the M50 travelling between the Tallaght and Firhouse junctions saw a male on a mesh covered bridge spanning the motorway pointing a gun at traffic.
She gave a description of the male and Mazur was apprehended a short time afterwards by the armed support unit. His backpack was searched uncovering a 6mm calibre air gun, ammunition and gas cylinders. No ammunition was in the chambers.
Mazur was arrested and made admissions, telling gardaí he was “bored and messing”.
Garda Sheridan agreed with Mark Lynam BL, defending, that Mazur came to Ireland four years ago and it was unclear if he came here with family or alone. Garda Sheridan said Mazur did not appear to have anyone around him.
Mr Lynam said Mazur was originally from Holland and he did not have a great deal of information on the young man.