A man accused of fatally shooting three members of the same family kept his gun license more than a decade ago despite police applying to revoke it.
Darryl Young, a farmer from Bogie in regional Queensland, appeared in court on Monday charged with the murders of Graham Tighe, his mother Maree Schwarz and her husband Merv.
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He was also charged with the attempted murder of Graham’s brother Ross, who survived the alleged shooting on Thursday morning and raised the alarm.
7NEWS understands that Young has held a gun license for decades. But in 2010, police rejected his renewal application.
He challenged the decision in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, saying he “used weapons on two properties to control feral animals”.
He also answered that he “had not contravened the weapons-related laws at any stage”.
Police argued at the time: “You are presently not a fit and proper person to hold a license.”
QCAT ruled in Young’s favour, saying: “Mr Young is a fit and proper person to hold a weapons license… (I) set aside the refusal to allow him to renew his license.”
Young’s case was heard early on Monday morning, the accused shooter appearing via video link.
His charges were read out before he was remanded in custody until November.
Ross remains in hospital, recovering in a stable condition.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for him and his family.
“We have created this fund to help them with the aftermath of suddenly having their worlds turned upside down,” it said.
“Please help us lessen some of this burden and unforeseen future costs.”
On Monday morning, almost $11,000 had been raised.
It’s understood that police will allege Young met his neighbors at the boundary line of their properties before the alleged shooting occurred.
Ross managed to flee by car before raising the alarm and being airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital, undergoing multiple emergency surgeries.
Police then swept the surrounding rural cattle properties.
Young and four other people were taken into custody, with all but the accused released without charge.
He will next appear in court on November 1.
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