Refusal to grant firearms permit is quashed

The High Court has quashed the refusal of a Garda superintendent to grant a competitive shooting enthusiast a firearms certificate…

The High Court has quashed the refusal of a Garda superintendent to grant a competitive shooting enthusiast a firearms certificate for a .22 calibre Vostok Toz target pistol.

The application to quash the refusal was not opposed.

The action is by Mr Frank Brophy, of Ballyhowbeg, Curracloe, Co Wexford.

Mr Brophy was granted leave by the High Court on March 30th last to seek an order quashing the decision of Supt J P Kehoe in relation to the Vostok Toz target pistol.

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Mr Brophy, in an affidavit, said he was an active participant in target and game shooting at a competitive and recreational level. He went on safaris to Africa and also participated in shooting events around Europe.

In court yesterday, counsel for Mr Brophy, who is a retired newspaper marketing executive, said it had been indicated to his side that there was no objection to an order being sought to quash the decision of February 20th last in relation to the pistol.

That order would then be formally remitted back to the superintendent who would then have to reconsider the matter in light of the court's decision.

Mr Justice Ó Caoimh made an order quashing the refusal of the certificate for the target pistol and he granted Mr Brophy his costs.

It was explained that, a legal bid by the shooter, Mr Brophy, to overturn the refusal to grant him a firearms certificate for a another weapon, a .375 rifle, remains in being.