Court hears man was found walking around town in the Midlands with gun while dressed in army uniform

A man was allegedly found brandishing a firearm while dressed in army clothes in a north Longford town, a court heard last week.

Octavian Cebanu (36), 7 Granada Retail Park, Granard, Co Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court last Tuesday in connection to an alleged offence on January 6, 2023.

That incident took place at Main Street, Granard, resulting in Mr Cebanu being charged with the alleged possession of a “realistic imitation firearm”.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, said gardaí were alerted to reports of a man who had been spotted walking around the main street of the north Longford town in “army clothing with what looked like a handgun.”

When gardaí arrived on the scene, officers spoke to a number of witnesses and viewed CCTV footage, Sgt Mahon added.
He said information relayed to investigators revealed the accused resided locally.

A later search of Mr Cebanu’s apartment uncovered the alleged firearm and a holster.

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Despite the charge sheet presented to the court stating the gun was an imitation, Sgt Mahon said a follow up analysis had confirmed its authenticity as being real.

Upon hearing the details of the case, Judge Bernadette Owens said she would be accepting jurisdiction in the case.

A disclosure order, or direction for all statements and evidence related to the case, was made to defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh.

Mr Cebanu was remanded on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on June 13.

It’s on that date Mr Cebanu is expected to indicate which way he intends to plead.

A Romanian interpreter was also certified for.