A CO Galway businessman angered over his failure to buy land, discharged a shotgun through a bedroom window where two children were asleep Galway Circuit Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Tom Quinn (46) of Newtown, Kilcolgan, pleaded guilty to reckless discharge of a firearm on December 24th, 1995, at the home, of Mr John Moran at Killelymore, Kilcolgan. John Burke of Tonroe, Oranmore, pleaded guilty to a similar charge.
Sgt Anthony Martin said the defendants had been drinking heavily during the previous day and night. At 2.15 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Quinn, driven by Burke, had collected his legally held, double barrelled shotgun from his home, gone to the Moran house nearby and fired through the bedroom window.
Heavy curtains had taken the force of the blast and the children aged eight and 11 were uninjured and had recovered well from the trauma, he added.
The men initially denied involvement but later admitted it. Asked by Mr Conor Fahy BL, prosecuting, about the motive, Sgt Martin replied that Quinn held a grudge over land bought by Mr Moran.
He confirmed that Quinn, a separated man, was on medication following a back operation and was receiving counselling for a drink problem. He was a garage owner with extensive land and property in the area. He had also won an All Ireland hurling medal and played rugby for Connacht. Burke was a small farmer in his early 50s, separated and living with his elderly mother.
The court heard that Quinn had a previous conviction for handling stolen goods, for which he was fined £500 earlier this month, and that Burke had seven previous convictions including assault and larceny.
Father Frank Larkin PP, Kinvara, said he had known Quinn for 24 years and he thought the incident was out of character, while Burke was "an inoffensive man, who probably drinks too much".
Quinn said he was angry because the land was sold for less than he was prepared to offer. He did not know why he went to the Moran's house: "It was the most stupid thing I ever did in my life.
Burke said he did not intend what happened and was not involved in firing the gun. Asked if he had a drink problem, he replied, "a little, at times".
Mr John O'Donnell BL, for Quinn, said that £7,500 was being lodged in court as a gesture of remorse towards the Morans.
Judge Raymond Groarke said the defendants had engaged in a vicious form of bullying in which Quinn was the leader. He would not ask the Morans to accept the lodgement as final. He imposed a 12 months suspended sentence on both men.