Selling fireworks without a licence "a foolish enterprise"

A Judge has stated that the selling and possessing of fireworks without a licence are the type of offences that “need to be cracked down on”.

The case of Mark Keith Burke, (23), of Ballynabragget Road, Waringstown, was heard at Craigavon Courthouse sitting on Friday, February 25.

The court heard that on October 14 last year, police attended an address in Donaghcloney and conducted a house search with Burke escorting officers to a downstairs bedroom which contained a large quantity of fireworks.

A further number of fireworks were detained at an out building with Burke making full admissions during a notebook interview.

The total seizure of fireworks was in the excess of £2,800.

In his defence, the court was told that this was “a foolish enterprise” who thought this would be a good way of making profit. It was added that Burke didn’t believe he needed a licence to sell and possess a licence after buying the fireworks via Facebook.

District Judge Bernie Kelly imposed a fine of £1,000 for each of the two offences and added that it might discourage Burke to not enter into this type of offending again.