Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Countryside Alliance Ireland has welcomed the decision in the high court to allow all those persons who have had their restricted firearm applications refused the opportunity to re apply. This followed a number of test cases which had identified that the procedures for granting or refusing the issue of a firearm certificate were not followed correctly by the authorising authority.  

This court action has highlighted the need for adherence to the correct procedure at all stages within the processing of firearm applications by both the applicant and those processing the application and that there must be a valid reason for refusal. It has been abundantly clear over the past few years that legitimate target shooters have not had their applications processed in the correct manner. 

Lyall Plant Chief Executive Countryside Alliance Ireland said “We had stressed on many occasions the value for having a centralised Firearms Licensing Unit within the Garda Structure. The establishment of such a unit would we believe remove the variation in processing and decision making and provide consistency throughout the whole process. We have financially supported the National Association of Sporting Rifle and Pistol Clubs over this period of firearms licencing uncertainty". 

As the first renewals will be issued shortly we believe that the new forms will be automatically completed and all that will be required is for the applicant to check all details on the completed form are correct and return.