Probation Act for man found with pistol in Dublin Airport luggage

A Tipperary resident bought a blank firing pistol online to protect himself from a colleague after he discovered what he believed were the bones of his missing dog in a fireplace, a court has heard.

Jiri Vecernik (45), originally from the Czech Republic, was stopped at Dublin Airport with the weapon after it was discovered in his checked-in luggage.

He later told gardaí­he had bought the weapon, which was not capable of firing lethal ammunition, for his own protection. Vecernik said he had an argument with a Slovak man and colleague five years previously. The row was over a dog belonging to Vecernik and his girlfriend. The encounter turned physical and the other man allegedly pulled a knife.

Later the couple found bones in their fireplace, which they believed were those of their missing dog.

Garda Kevin Nolan said he investigated this story but said neither party made a follow-up complaint.

Judge Martin Nolan said he would “proceed to conviction” but would give Vecernik the “benefit of the Probation Act”.