Gardaí confiscated gun from Michael Healy-Rae after he fired it in TV documentary

Gardaí in County Kerry confiscated a firearm from Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae following the airing of a 2013 television documentary in which he was shown firing a rifle at a target. The incident occurred during a segment of the programme At Home with the Healy-Raes, which aired on TV3. During the show, Healy-Rae, along with his youngest son Kevin and host Ciara Doherty, fired at a target mounted on a tree on the family's farm. The gun used by Healy-Rae appeared to resemble a Heckler and Koch MP5 submachine gun, though it was a replica capable of only semi-automatic fire and chambered for .22 rounds rather than the more potent 9mm rounds of the real weapon. The confiscation came shortly after the programme aired. Gardaí reportedly visited the Healy-Rae farm and requested to inspect the weapon before seizing it from the premises. The decision was based on the opinion of a senior local garda, who believed the firearm was being used in violation of its licensing conditions. However, the specific legal grounds for the seizure remain unclear. Despite this, Healy-Rae maintained that the gun had been properly licensed and that its use during the documentary was lawful. Following the confiscation, Healy-Rae made representations to the Gardaí, arguing that the weapon had been improperly seized due to a misunderstanding of the law. These efforts eventually led to the gun’s return, which was granted and currently remains in his possession. Healy-Rae has consistently defended his right to legal gun ownership, emphasizing that he believes such rights are essential for self-defence. In a recent interview on RTÉ, he stated he would carry firearms at all times and would have no objection to using them against an intruder in his home. Healy-Rae has long supported expanding the law to permit firearms owners to use their weapons in self-defence. Two years after he was first elected as a TD, he participated in the 2013 TV3 programme, where he openly discussed his interest in shooting and firearms. During the episode, he described owning three firearms and demonstrated their use by firing at a target. His son and the programme host also joined in the exercise, highlighting the casual nature of the display. Ireland maintains some of the strictest firearms regulations in Europe, granting local gardaí broad authority over the issuance, revocation, and seizure of firearms licenses. While Healy-Rae holds a valid license for the weapon in question, he is not facing any criminal charges related to its use or possession. The Garda spokesperson confirmed that the force does not comment on individual cases, leaving the specifics of the incident largely unaddressed. The weapon in question, while visually similar to a military-grade submachine gun, was clearly a replica designed for recreational use. Its limited firepower and legal status underscore the complexities of Ireland’s firearms legislation, which balances public safety with personal freedoms. As of now, Healy-Rae continues to assert that all firearms in his possession are legally acquired and licensed. The situation highlights ongoing debates around gun control and self-defence in the country.