A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to eight years in jail after pleading guilty to firing a rifle at civilians, gardaí and property in a "rampage" in Co Donegal.
Stephen Dowling of Burrin Road, Carlow Town, admitted firing his legally held gun in Glenties after a night of drinking and taking cocaine in February 2020.
He pleaded guilty to five charges of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage to property, one charge of possession of an offensive weapon - a hunting knife; and five charges of criminal damage.
At Letterkenny Circuit Court today, Judge John Aylmer said Dowling brought cocaine with him to Glenties and was in possession of a very high powered weapon.
The judge said it was lucky no one had been shot dead.
Judge Aylmer said Dowling had lost control of himself and his mind and had gone on a random shooting spree.
He said the court had heard several victim impact statements including some from gardaí who were operating in particularly difficult circumstances given the remoteness of the shooting scene.
Following sentencing, Garda Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn said it is both incredible and fortunate that no one was killed or seriously injured in the shooting.
She commended the bravery and actions of the gardaí "who brought the dangerous situation under control" and thanked the Glenties community for their help.
