A gun club member is seeking a High Court order that a three-year delay by the Garda in granting him a licence for a handgun is unreasonable and unlawful.
Mr Karl White, an airport policeman from Ballylongford, Co Kerry, claims Superintendent John O'Riordan of Listowel Garda station had unreasonably withheld a firearms certificate for a 9mm Luger pistol.
The case was adjourned yesterday to allow Supt O'Riordan, who is being represented by the State in the case, to come to court after Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill said he believed the issue could be easily resolved between the parties.
The judge earlier heard Mr White had applied in 2004 for a certificate under the 1925 Firearms Act and had received a letter from the superintendent in December of that year saying he had been approved. However, the certificate was not issued even though it had been drafted, Mr Conleth Bradley SC, for Mr White said.
Last December, the Chief State Solicitor's office wrote to Mr White on behalf of the superintendent saying the licence would be granted subject to conditions, including that he would have to have access to an approved firing range.