A man who went on a shooting spree due to an argument over grazing rights for horses has been given a three-year suspended sentence by Judge Kevin Haugh.
Thomas Bacon (33), married with two children, of Laurel Avenue, Ballybrack, pleaded guilty on July 21st, 1998, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of possessing a firearm, causing malicious damage to a caravan and to a Hiace van on April 8th, 1996.
Det Garda Lawrence O'Leary told prosecuting counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy, that an accomplice of Bacon and another man had a dispute over grazing rights for horses on land behind that of Bacon's accomplice at the Loughlinstown dual carriageway.
The witness said blows were struck when Bacon's accomplice threatened he would get a gunman from Ballybrack to shoot the other family. The accomplice then went to the pub where Bacon was drinking and enlisted him because he had a stolen shotgun.
Bacon got the shotgun and drove his accomplice to the halting site in Burton Hall, Leopardstown Road. They pulled white stockings over their heads and a shot was fired over the heads of the people standing around a campfire.
They ran and took cover. Bacon fired two further shots at the Hiace van and one into the roof of a caravan where the other Traveller's wife and children were.
Det Garda Lawrence said Bacon had five previous convictions, including larceny, assault and burglary. His accomplice has since left the jurisdiction.
Defence counsel, Mr Niall Durnan, asked Judge Haugh to take into account that his client was very drunk at the time of the offence. Judge Haugh said it was outrageous behaviour to fire a shotgun into a van where there were children, and there was clearly a vendetta against this family. He imposed a three-year suspended sentence and directed that £3,000 compensation be paid to the family.