A Dublin man who shot a neighbour in the leg during a dispute over a £3 debt has been jailed for two years.
Darren Gibbons (28), of Marigold Court, Darndale, was jailed by Judge Kevin Haugh at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court over the shooting on September 19th, 1997.
Gibbons's brothers, Stephen Gibbons (21) and Paul Gibbons (17), were given suspended sentences of 12 and six months respectively for their roles in the incident at Primrose Grove, Darndale. Stephen Gibbons pleaded guilty to handling the shotgun and Paul Gibbons admitted unlawful possession of it. Det Sgt Enda Moore told Mr Tom O'Connell, prosecuting, that the victim would never be able to return to work because of his injuries.
Judge Haugh noted that Stephen Gibbons was handed the gun and hid it in a bush after his elder brother ran off. He was unaware of the gun's existence beforehand. i.
His younger brother's "possession" of the gun was "constructive possession rather than actual" because he was aware his eldest brother had it with him when they went to the victim's house. He hadn't expected his brother would be carrying the gun before he saw it.
Judge Haugh said Darren Gibson obtained the shotgun after being told of alleged threats to his younger brother and brought it to ensure "a fair fight". While he had not intended shooting the neighbour, he had acted in a "highly reckless" way.
The trouble began over the £3 balance on the sale of a bicycle for £8 by Paul Gibbons to another youth. Gibbons beat up the youth one night over non-payment of the £3. The youth's mother believed it wasn't `a fair fight' and Paul Gibbons offered the youth "a fair straightener".
When they got to the youth's house, the youth's mother came out and tried to grab the gun. A man came out after her and was shot in the leg during a struggle with Darren Gibbons.
Det Sgt Moore agreed with Mr Paul McDermott SC, defending, that Paul Gibbons believed the youth had gone into his house to get a knife. He didn't think the gun would be used. Mr Brendan Grogan SC said Darren Gibbons deeply regretted the shooting. He had been drinking and his mind was clouded.