Anthony Keith Gifford: Dunoon resident faces court over alleged shooting

Police will allege the Dunoon man wrote a number of notes containing neighbours’ names with words such as ‘target’, ‘collateral damage’ and ‘innocent bystanders’ written beside them.

The health of a Northern NSW man who allegedly shot at his neighbours causing them to take refuge in fear has been questioned, a court heard.

Dunoon resident Anthony Keith Gifford, 64, wasn’t required for his Lismore Local Court mention on Wednesday.

The court heard via an email from his solicitor the matter was unable to proceed due to an issue of fitness.

This was despite a conference between the defence and prosecution occurring on August 25.

This is not the first time the mental health of Mr Gifford had been brought into question in court.

At his latest bail hearing in NSW Supreme Court in April, Justice Peter Hamil heard from lawyer Dennis Stewart who told the court his client was in a state of delirium and not fully cognisant of his actions during the alleged shooting.

Justice Hamill also detailed at that hearing police had allegedly found a number of notes containing neighbours’ names with words such as ‘target’, ‘collateral damage’ and ‘innocent bystanders’ written beside them.

Mr Gifford was arrested after police were called to Dunoon when they received reports of shots fired at a home on Rayward Rd and one on Duncan Rd about 9pm on March 6,2021.

Mr Gifford was arrested after police were called to Dunoon when they received reports of shots fired at a home on Rayward Rd and one on Duncan Rd about 9pm on March 6,2021.

Police will allege more than 20 shots were fired, with 12 police officers and six residents “taking refuge in a nearby home and other residents instructed to remain in their homes”.

Specialist units were deployed to assist in the operation – including officers attached to the Tactical Operations Regional Response, negotiators, and Police Rescue.

Mr Gifford faces 17 charges, including two counts of shooting with intent to murder, one count of shooting with intent to cause serious injury, five counts of firing a gun at homes and three counts of shooting to resist arrest.

Magistrate Jeff Linden adjourned the matter to October 12 for further expert material.