Derry Court: Man observed brandishing gun day after DCI Caldwell shot

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man was observed brandishing a suspected firearm in John Street the day after Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot in Omagh. 

John Brendan Meehan (29) of Northland Road in Derry appeared and admitted a charge of carrying a firearm in a public place on February 23 this year.

The court heard that police were called to a report of a man brandishing a firearm or an imitation firearm in John Street. 

He could be seen by members of the public and at one stage pointed the gun across the road.

He was located by police and a BB gun was found on him and told police he had bought it and was 'messing around' with the gun.

He said he did not intend anyone to feel threatened or intimidated and in hindsight it was 'a bad idea.'

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said it was 'a serious incident' but Meehan was not aware of what had occurred the previous day.

She said her client was not aware of how serious this could have been. 

The barrister said her client was now abstaining from alcohol.

Deputy District Judge Francis Rafferty said he would give Meehan 'one opportunity' and deferred sentence for 6 months.

He told the defendant if he did not come to police attention for the next six months he would receive a non custodial sentence. 

The case was deferred until December 1.