Adrian Collins, 48, had spotted a light near his home after having several drinks at a christening and came across his neighbour, who was herding cattle – before shooting him in the face
A dad who downed “four or five” pints at a christening later shot his neighbour several times as he was herding cattle on his farm.
Adrian Collins, 48, had drank several drinks when he spotted a light outside his home and came across his neighbour Adrian Cotter, 65, at around 7.30pm in February last year, Ennis Circuit Court heard. Collins fired his shotgun several times, with three of his eight pellets hitting his neighbour – including one hitting close to his eye- as he checked on his cattle.
Collins pleaded guilty to the reckless discharge of a firearm at Enagh, Kilkishen, the Irish Mirror reported. In a victim impact statement, Mr Cotter said: “I was lucky I didn’t lose the sight of my eye. I was herding cattle when I was shot about eight times by Adrian Collins. The left side of my face was badly hit and I had to be hospitalised and I had numerous visits to the hospital and doctors.
“He was obviously aiming at and firing at the light in my head. It bothered me greatly, why he would do this to me. I have no idea why Adrian Collins would do this to me. He inflicted severe pain upon me and more than that, he has made me nervous and afraid every time I go near the land. I wish this never happened as it has caused great upset to me personally and to my family.”
Detective Garda Colm Moriarty described how on the night Mr Cotter was wearing a headlamp and wearing a fluorescent jacket. The officer said Mr Cotter felt a volley of shots on his jacket while trying to get the cow back over to the feeder in a field.
Detective Garda Moriarty said two pellets had lodged in Mr Cotter’s left temple and another one centimetre under his eye. They were removed in April and May of last year at a hospital.
During an interview, Collins said that he had not intentionally gone to hurt someone. He told gardaí he “was embarrassed, angry and sorry” for what he did.
Patrick Whyms, for Collins, said Collins has no previous convictions and the incident “is a bizarre entry into the arena of being in trouble”. He added his client wished to apologise unreservedly and accepted his behaviour was completely wrong.
Mr Whyms described how on the night, Collins became aware of activity and light at the rear of his property. Mr Whyms said: “He believed there were people there who shouldn’t have been there and not thinking clearly he discharged shots in direction of those who were there.”
Judge Francis Comerford imposed a suspended two-year prison term as he had taken into account his plea of guilt, co-operating with Gardaí, having no previous convictions and his grudging remorse towards Mr Cotter. He added: “I do accept there was no hint of personal animus towards Mr Cotter.”