Ireland: Judge John Neilan Shot In Face In Courthouse

A judge in the Republic of Ireland was accidentally shot in the face by a solicitor who was trying to demonstrate that an air pistol was harmless.

Judge John Neilan was hearing a family law case in Longford District Court when he was shot, it emerged yesterday.

The judge, who is never lost for words, didn't want to comment on the matter yesterday.

Ironically, the lawyer was trying to demonstrate to Judge John Neilan that the weapon was not dangerous when it accidentally discharged and fired a pellet in his direction.

It happened during a family law hearing in Longford District Court on Tuesday.

The judge was not seriously injured in the incident and it is understood that he continued hearing the case and proceedings went ahead as normal.

Read the whole story: The Independent

Comments

[CanisLatrans]

VERY misleading and dishonest photograph, considering the context of the case.

Got fear?

[Ivriniel]

Demonstration fail!

[zanzig]

When did Cheney go to Ireland?

[ramal]

I hope the lawyer lost the case.

[ILuvBubbles]

I'd be more concerned with truth than keeping score of case outcomes.

[EmeraldWorld]

Irony at it's finest?

[BlueZoo]

What is really shocking about this incident is that guns of any kind are allowed in an Irish court of law! I thought the IRA would have been quite enough reason to outlaw any and all arms in all Irish courts! btw: That photo doesn't look like a pellet or air gun to me!

[squander123]

Oh, get over yourself. The gun - which is actually a toy - was evidence in the case, and the lawyer was (ironically) trying to convince the judge that it was safe. Obviously that didn't work out too well for him, but if that was his case, it was necessary for him to bring it to court.

[BlueZoo]

Since when it is necessary to bring a loaded gun into a courtroom?

[Yeah-Me]

You mean that isn't a pellet gun?

[andyg]

Yep, they can do damaged depending where they hit people.

[liberalcynic]

a gun's a gun, not to be used in a court of law.
A toy gun still has the potencial to confuse and be considered by someone as a weapon, it's still a risk and a risk society should not have to take in Dublin, New York or Sydney.

[the-lexicon]

This has to be an astroturfer, trying to spread the meme of "liberalness". This comment has nothing to do with liberal thinking, it has to do with stupidity and general lack of mental acuity.

The gun was present in the courtroom because it was entered into evidence in the case being tried.

lexicon

[knoxblox]

Yeah, and paint guns don't hurt either. Idiot.

[porsche996]

Here's a headline!

Judge accidentally shot in face with pellet gun by lawyer trying to demonstrate toy's safety.

[Yeah-Me]

Technically though... he was shot in the face.