Man who pulled replica gun on publican in Covid restriction row jailed for four years

George Murray (55) later admitted he “frightened the life out of the poor man” when he pulled the realistic imitation Glock handgun on Tom Maye in Maye’s Public House on December 16, 2020 and told him he was going to “blow (his) f*cking head off”.

The incident had a significant effect on Mr Maye, who had run the pub for 31 years, but has since sold the business, Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today.

The iconic pub on the corner of Dorset Street and Frederick Street North was best known for its big Guinness clock sign.

Murray, with an address at Granby Centre, Granby Row, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a realistic imitation firearm with the intention to make a threat to kill at the Dublin pub. He was jailed for four years.

Murray has been in and out of custody on other matters since this incident and has been in the Central Mental Hospital since last August, the court heard. He has 57 previous convictions.

Detective Sergeant Eoin Treacy told the court that at around 3pm on the day in question, Murray and another man entered the pub, which was operating a door bell system at the time. Covid restrictions were in place, and pubs could only operate as off-licences for take-away customers at that time, the court heard.

Mr Maye (70), the proprietor of the pub, was working behind the counter on the day in question and he told Murray and his companion that the pub was not open for drinking in. Murray left before returning a minute or so later, with some cans in his hand.

He told Mr Maye he was going to sit there for the hour with his drinks. Mr Maye repeatedly told Murray to leave, during which time a customer came into the shop looking to buy cigarettes.

Murray then told Mr Maye: “I’ll blow your f*cking head off”, before he produced the imitation Glock from the waistband of his trousers. Mr Maye dived behind the counter while the other customer ran out the door, the court heard.

Murray then left the pub, tucked the gun back into his waistband and started walking down the street. Mr Maye pushed a panic button and gardaí arrived within three minutes, the court heard. Murray was quickly spotted and armed gardaí pulled their weapons on him before arresting him and confiscating the firearm.

The street was busy with people at the time, the court heard.

CCTV footage of the incident was played in court, while a victim impact statement from Mr Maye was handed in, but not read out.

James Dwyer SC, defending, said Murray had a lengthy history of schizoaffective disorder and polysubstance abuse, which started in his early teens. He has been in and out of mental health care over the last few years, the court heard.

His previous convictions include theft, burglary, criminal damage and harassment offences. He said Murray later told gardaí he was “just angry” and had no intention of killing anyone. The replica gun was a pellet gun, the court heard.

Sentencing Murray today, Judge Pauline Codd commended the gardaí for their bravery, noting they had no idea they were dealing with a replica gun.

She noted the incident had a serious effect on Mr Maye, whose sleep and wellbeing was affected in the wake of the incident. “His family were also very upset on his behalf,” the judge said. “None of them had any interest in continuing the business and this led to the closure of the business he ran for 30 years.”

The judge took into account Murray’s psychiatric history. She set a headline sentence of seven years but reduced this to four years. She backdated it to last November.

Murray put his thumbs up and said “fair play” to the judge.