Farm shooter had gun ban revoked
The farmer who allegedly shot at four family members killing three of them actually had his gun ban revoked.
Darryl Young is accused of murdering three of his neighbours following a dispute of boundary lines on their land in Bogie, near Collinsville in Queensland.
However, court documents have revealed that the 59-year-old had his gun ban revoked almost a decade ago after a successful appeal saying he needed it for his “business”.
According to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Young was granted his gun licence in 1992, news.com.au reported.
Young was allowed to hold four rifles and two shotguns with his licence.
Then in 2010, Young went to renew his licence but Queensland Police refused on the basis that it was “not in the public interest”.
In his response to the refusal, Young explained that he needed the licence to control the feral animals on his farm.
“There is no were (sic) in the laws of the gun laws that I have broken to stop me having a gun licence,” his application read.
“I need my gun licence for my business. I hope the Tribunal over turns (sic) the decision so I can have my licence.”
The tribunal accepted Young’s explanation which saw him get his licence again.
Last week, in matters unrelated, Young was charged with the murder of his neighbours Mervyn, 71, Maree Schwarz, 59, and their son Graham Tighe, 35, following a dispute of boundary lines on their land in Bogie near Collinsville in Queensland.
He was also charged with one count of attempted murder after Mervyn and Maree’s other son Ross Tighe survived following a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Police will allege Young invited the three members to the edge of his property on August 4 before shooting them “execution style”.
Young allegedly shot at Ross who managed to escape the farm in a ute and alert police to the horrific attack against his family.
Police charged Young with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder and he appeared briefly at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday with his lawyer asking for the case to be transferred.
Young was reprimanded in custody and will reappear in court on November 1.
Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said it was incredible Ross was able to survive due to the properties being so far apart.
“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.
“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”
Images: 7News