Shotgun cartridge found during search of house, court is told

Tony Maher (31), Burnbrae Avenue, Portadown, admitted possession of the cartridge on February 20 last year without being the holder of a firearms certificate.

He was fined £175 and sentenced to one month in prison, suspended for two years, last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

The court heard that a shotgun cartridge and one bullet were found during a search of as house in Parkmore, Craigavon.

Another person claimed ownership of the bullet while Maher said the cartridge belonged to him.

When interviewed he said he had brought it from the Republic of Ireland and believed it was a blank.

A barrister representing Maher said there was nothing on his record that would lead someone to think there was more to this that meets the eye. He added that this matter had been hanging over the defendant for some time and in the interim he had served prison sentences.