Sons of the late Jim Mansfield to plead not guilty on ammunition charges
By Brendan Grehan
THE SONS of the late hotelier and businessman Jim Mansfield will be pleading not guilty to ammunition charges, Blanchardstown District Court has heard.
Jim Mansfield, aged 48, with an address at Tassaggart House, Garter Lane, Saggart, is charged with having 180 rounds of .22 Walther ammunition without a firearms licence the above address on January 29, 2015.
Two further charges of possession of a pump action shotgun and 19 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun cartridges were struck out.
His brother Patrick James Mansfield , aged 38, with an address at Coldwaters Lake, Saggart, is accused of possession of 1,252 rounds of Walther ammunition without a firearms licence at the above address also on January 29, 2015.
In relation to Jim Mansfield, Judge David McHugh had refused jurisdiction in the case. He was asked by a State solicitor to reconsider the allegations after two of the charges were struck out.
Detective- Garda Ian Pemberton told the court that it will be alleged gardai searched Mr Mansfield’s home under warrant and located a legally-held pistol as well as 480 rounds of ammunition, 180 rounds in excess of the licence.
Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction of the charge.
The Mansfield’s Counsel, Tony McGullicuddy Bl said his clients would be pleading not guilty to the charges.
Mr McGullicuddy requested a copy of the information which a garda swore to a judge to obtain the warrant to search the men’s home.
He said his clients required this information if they wished to challenge the validity of the warrant.
A State solicitor said there were other people named in the information who were not party to the proceedings before the court. He asked for the case to be adjourned to allow the investigation to conclude.
Mr McGullicuddy argued the right course of action was to strike out the charges and “the State can take whatever course when the ongoing investigation concludes”.
Judge McHugh adjourned the case into the Criminal Courts of Justice this week to allow the Mansfield brothers to enter a plea.
