Mum bought gun to protect family

07 November 2012 10:30 AM

A MOTHER of five who bought a sawn off shotgun to protect her family has been given a suspended sentence.

Kathleen McDonagh (43) told gardai that she paid for the gun and bullets after her husband was shot in the head six times, leaving him with cognitive difficulties.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that McDonagh took a course in home care so she could look after her injured husband. She pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of the shotgun and bullets at her home in Bill Shelly Park, Dunsink Lane, Finglas, Dublin on August 18, 2011.

Judge Martin Nolan suspended a four year jail term for four years.

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