Paulius Kuprys of Preston Street, Dublin 1, was charged with possession of a realistic imitation firearm
A man found by gardaí on a city centre street holding a “realistic” imitation gun and surrounded by pellets on the ground described it as a toy, a court heard.
Paulius Kuprys (23) put it down when directed by gardaí, who then seized it.
Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case at Dublin District Court to allow the accused to decide how he intends to plead.
Mr Kuprys, of Preston Street, Dublin 1, is charged with unlawful possession of a realistic imitation firearm at Preston Street on May 23, 2021.
A sergeant said the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with in the district court.
Outlining the allegation, he alleged the gardaí encountered Mr Kuprys with “a number of small pellets surrounding him at his feet”.
He was asked to put down the gun and he complied. Gardaí then seized the firearm, which was an imitation and had been in public view, the sergeant said.
The accused’s lawyer said although the allegation was that it was in the city centre and in public, the alleged incident was in front of the hostel where Mr Kuprys was living.
He had described the gun as a toy; it was a BB gun and he “wouldn’t be familiar with the legislation” around it.
“There’s nothing more sinister at play here,” he said.
The sergeant agreed “nothing more untoward” was alleged to have happened.
Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to stay in the district court.
The judge also ordered disclosure of the prosecution evidence, including CCTV and a ballistics report.
