A National school teacher who pointed a single-barrel shotgun at the head of a youth and began a countdown of five seconds has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
He also threatened other youths with the gun during an incident in Belmullet, Co Mayo, early on January 2nd, 2000.
At Castlebar Circuit Court, sitting in Westport yesterday, Mr Liam Lavelle (28), of Aroone, Belmullet, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Michael Ruddy and to unlawful possession of a firearm.
Sgt James Carroll said on January 2nd at 2.30 a.m. Lavelle, who had earlier had dinner with his girlfriend, grew annoyed after a red Nissan car drove past where he and his girlfriend were standing. Lavelle believed the car came very close to him.
He pursued the vehicle and when the driver, Mr Ruddy, rolled down the window to him, he demanded to know why he had driven in such a manner. Mr Ruddy replied it had nothing to do with him, and Lavelle struck him twice in the face.
Some time later, Lavelle was sitting in a taxi outside his girlfriend's house when three youths, friends of Mr Ruddy, stopped and asked why he had struck Mr Ruddy. Lavelle's girlfriend stopped them from reaching the taxi, which drove off and took Lavelle home. At his house, Lavelle became enraged. He got his grandfather's legally-held shotgun and drove to Belmullet.
There he saw the car which had driven past him earlier and a number of youths around it. He walked towards them but then returned and got the gun. When the youths saw him they fled.
Lavelle then approached another parked car in which there were three more youths, none of whom knew Lavelle. He closed the barrel of the shotgun and pointed it at the car. He demanded to know who had been driving the Nissan car. One of the youths jumped out of the car but Lavelle confronted him. He continually struck him on his leg.
Lavelle then went to the other side of the car and ordered another youth, Mr Stephen Padden, of Attycunnane, Belmullet, to get out of the car. He told him to kneel and told him he would give him five seconds to tell him where the driver of the Nissan was. He started counting but realised he had made a major mistake and returned to his car.
Sgt Carroll said Lavelle had co-operated fully with gardai.
Dr John Connolly, chief psychiatrist at St Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, said Lavelle had consumed a large amount of alcohol. Mr John O'Donnell, for Lavelle, said his client had since taken the pledge. He was extremely remorseful.
Judge Kenny told Lavelle: "You were full of alcohol and you lost the run of yourself over a relatively simple matter . . . Your behaviour was the most alarming I have come across for a number of years and it was an appallingly terrifying incident for your victims."