A Moldovan man arrested yesterday in Granard for possession of a realistic firearm has been released on bail.
Octavian Cebanu of 7 Granada Apartments, Granard, appeared before a special sitting of Longford District Court this afternoon.
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He was charged with the possession of a realistic fire arm in a public place.
According to Sergeant Caroline Keogh, the accused walked up Main Street and Barrack Street in camouflage clothes, with a realistic looking handgun and holster on last Friday evening.
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Sergeant Keogh stated that witnesses accounts and CCTV recordings showed Mr Cebanu cocking the replica weapon in front of the library, filling station and a local pub.
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Gardai were unable to locate the joint Moldovan/Romanian national following multiple reports from the public, but following analysis of CCTV footage, located his home.
Members of the Garda Armed Response Unit, entered his home and arrested him later that evening.
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Brid Mimnagh, solicitor for the defence told the judge that her client had no precious convictions in this country and just one traffic offence recorded in Moldova.
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The solicitor asked Sergeant Keogh if she believed that the defendant understood the seriousness of the situation.
She replied she could not comment on his intentions, but many people in the town were put in fear due to his actions.
Gardai requested the accused to be remanded in custody, but it was argued from the defence that the Moldovan man in his 30s would lose his job if he missed another shift.
He was granted bail under strict circumstances, including a €250 bond, daily sign-ons at Granard Garda Station and the requirement to surrender his passport.
The matter will appear before Longford District Court again on the 21st of February.
