Farmer who shot friend after drinking pints of whiskey avoids jail

The east Clare farmer who shot and injured his best friend with a double-barrelled shotgun after drinking two pints of whiskey has received a suspended sentence.

Judge Gerald Keys imposed a four-year suspended jail term on father of two Liam Flynn (53) for the assault causing harm of Noel Enright (41) on Flynn’s remote farmhouse at Afflick, Tulla, on January 28th, 2015.

Judge Keys told Flynn that he should consider himself “very, very lucky” in the sentence he received.

The judge made it a condition that Mr Flynn pay over €20,000 in compensation to his victim. Flynn agreed not to abuse alcohol or drugs for the next four years.

‘Caused serious damage’

Speaking at Ennis Circuit Court, the judge said: "I am not sure that society would benefit from imposing a custodial sentence."

Counsel for Flynn, Lorcan Connolly BL, told the court that Mr Enright has initiated civil proceedings against his client.

Judge Keys told Flynn that by his act he had “caused serious damage to Mr Enright which has and will continue to have a profound effect on him for the future”.

They were churchgoing friends for 20 years before Flynn shot the Doora man in his left upper thigh at his home after a long night of drinking.

Mr Enright would stay at Flynn's home once a week where the two would drink and watch their favourite TV show, Sons of Anarchy, about a gang of outlaw US bikers.

Mr Connolly said: "The goings-on in the house that night could have been taken out of the Sons of Anarchy."