Courts / Louth / Report

Dundalk man caught with firearm while on "wee message", court hears

Date
2016-11-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

During a sentence hearing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, Joseph Finnegan, aged 55, was described as having been caught with a pistol and ammunition while claiming he was carrying out a "wee message" for certain people and that he feared them. Finnegan had previously pleaded guilty in June to possession of an 8mm calibre blank‑firing pistol and seven rounds of ammunition, both at his Cullenstown, Readypenny address, on 11 July 2015. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a 12‑gauge double‑barrel shotgun and three rounds of shotgun cartridges on 12 July 2015, and to possession of a stolen Ford Focus on 11 July 2015. At the hearing, Detective Inspector Anthony Lenehan recounted that the Special Detective Unit was investigating IRA activity in County Louth and that Finnegan was suspected of storing and moving firearms.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dundalk man caught with firearm while on "wee message", court hears. Charges or matters: possession of an 8mm calibre blank-firing pistol at the same address on July 11th, 2015; two further possession charges, one involving a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and the other three rounds of shotgun cartridges, both at the same address and on July 12th, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 11th, 2015 Incident
July 12th, 2015 Incident
July 11th Incident
November 21st Adjournment
2016-11-08 Publication

Case subjects

Joseph Finnegan

Defendant

Charges: possession of an 8mm calibre blank-firing pistol at the same address on July 11th, 2015; two further possession charges, one involving a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and the other three rounds of shotgun cartridges, both at the same address and on July 12th, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mr Justice Robert Eagar, presiding, with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Finnegan in custody until November 21st, when he will be sentenced.; Mr Justice Robert Eagar, presiding, with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Finnegan in custody until November 21st, when he will be sentenced.