A 25-YEAR old man who went on what has been described as a “wild west” rampage in Glenties carrying a high powered hunting riffle and firing into occupied houses has been sentenced to eight years in prison at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Speaking following the sentence Garda representative, Brendan O’Connor said “the terrifying evidence given in court” surrounding the incident that unfolded on February 22, 2020 had given the public an insight into the daily dangers that Gardaí face on an ongoing basis.
“This incident unfolded with no warning in a small rural town and there is no doubt that the courage and bravery displayed by Gardaí on the night brought the incident to an end without injury to any person,” he said.
Garda O’Connor said members of the force had been fired upon with the high powered riffle and had come within inches of losing their lives.
Imposing sentence Judge John Aylmer said the defendant, Stephen Dowling of Cois Abhainn, Burren Road, Carlow had acted with “gross irresponsibility” fuelled by intoxication and cocaine and had lost control of himself and his mind.
Dowling, who admitted to eleven separate offences on the night, had taken to the streets of Glenties and engaged in random shooting.
It had, said Judge Aylmer, been extremely fortuitous that nobody had been killed or injured.
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